A Servant … MOI?!

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Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” [emphasis mine] – John 13: 3-5, 12-17

Marty was out in the yard, cutting up a dead tree, when I stepped outside. He looked up and asked if there was still coffee in the kitchen.

“There is,” I replied. “Would you like some?”

He said, “Yes, I would.” I picked up his empty mug. “You don’t have to be my servant,” he added. I’m not sure what prompted that protest after all these years.

“We serve each other,” I reminded him and went inside to get his refill.

This little exchange reminded me of a song I wrote a few decades ago about a concept I still believe in, one that is likely to be even more unpopular now than it was back then. As I did a search of my blog this morning, I realized I had never shared the lyrics with my readers, so I want to post them today. I have never recorded this song, so you’ll have to just imagine an upbeat country tune, a classic Loretta Lynn-type country voice, and a woman with a big smile.

WARNING: If you are a zealous feminist, you probably will not like this song. – Unless you read to the end with an open mind and open heart. Then, who knows? You might find yourself smiling, too.

SERVANT’S HEART

by Annie Aschauer

People tell me we're the happiest pair they've ever seen.
My man gets treated like a king. - I guess that makes me Queen!
The secret to our "wedded bliss" is one you might not guess.
Who'd've thought a servant held the key to happiness?

Refrain:   Girlfriends say, "How can you let him walk all over you?"
                But they are never satisfied, and me, I'm rarely blue.
                So if you are a bride-to-be, I'll tell you from the start,
                If you want to live just like a queen, have a servant's heart.

Now when my man gets tired, I rub his back and make him tea.
(The Son of God washed feet, so I'm in Good Company!)
Some girls grab for what they want, but I get so much more,
'cause I serve him, then he serves me, and no one's keepin' score.

Refrain:   Girlfriends say, "How can you let him walk all over you?"
                But they are never satisfied, and me, I'm rarely blue.
                So if you are a bride-to-be, I'll tell you from the start,
                If you want to live just like a queen, have a servant's heart.

Now I am no one's doormat, and I'm hardly ever shy!
And that is why I must explain to those who wonder why
Every little thing he asks, I very gladly do:
When I'm the one who needs a hand - he's my servant, too!

Refrain:   Girlfriends say, "How can you let him walk all over you?"
                But they are never satisfied, and me, I'm rarely blue.
                So if you are a bride-to-be, I'll tell you from the start,
                If you want to live just like a queen, have a servant's heart.

Philippians 2 contains a very famous passage describing Jesus, the divine Servant we are to emulate:

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
   did not consider equality with God 
       something to be grasped,
But made himself nothing,
   taking the very nature of a servant, 
       being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself and became obedient to death - 
       even death on a cross!    
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
       and gave him the name that is above every name,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
       and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
            to the glory of God the Father.
                                                  Philippians 2: 5-11

Prayer: King of the universe, You came among us as a Servant, modeling humility and obedience to Your Father, even unto death! And yet so often we want the positions of honor and influence. Forgive us for our arrogance, our blindness, and our failure to follow Your example. Make us servants today. Open our eyes to the opportunities around us and let Your grace shine through us as we serve others, in You precious name, amen.

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Published by seekingdivineperspective

I am a forgiven sinner and adopted child of God, seeking to see life from His perspective - as opposed to the world's flawed perspective - and living my life accordingly.

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32 thoughts on “A Servant … MOI?!”

  1. I LOVE your song ❤️ I love submitting to my husband and he loves me as Christ loves the church. It works out wonderfully 😊 I suspect feminists don’t like this because how can you trust any man in hook up culture? I think they call it “sex positive” now, but it’s yet another worldly way of living that doesn’t work. In any case, I’m happy for you and your husband!

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  2. Annie, these are beautiful song lyrics full of truth that when lived leads to a life of grace. I hope and pray that many from the generations behind will find what you have, especially my granddaughters. Thank you for sharing and God bless you and Marty! You’re a beacon for Christ.

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  3. reminds me of another song …
    “How sweet it is to be loved by you
    Just like honey to the bee baby.”

    thanks for the scriptures and the story. ❤

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  7. Your song gets an upvote from me as well. My husband will sometimes say to me “you’re not my servant,” then my reply is “we are a team” or “two became one. Whatever I do for you I do for us.”

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  8. Loretta Lynn! Wow, that name brings back memories of listening to music while playing cards with my family.

    Anyway, beautiful song, Annie. As you kind of said, it’s super counter-cultural, but even scientific studies will show that giving makes our brains happier than receiving. My husband and I often say, “same team,” which really just means that if we’re hurting or helping the other, we’re hurting or helping ourselves too.

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    1. Giving does make our brains (and hearts) happier, doesn’t it? We don’t think much about it being “more blessed to give than to receive,” until we’re forced to be on the receiving end. It’s hard on the ego, but occasionally it’s time to let someone else be blessed. 😉
      What you and your husband say is what Paul said in Ephesians 5:28-29. Remembering that you’re “one flesh” is a great idea – we win together, or we lose together.

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    1. Absolutely! And there are probably some men who would take advantage of a wife with a servant’s heart. But I’m guessing there are few women who wouldn’t gladly serve a man who serves her, unless she interprets that as his thinking she’s helpless. (The same ones who interpret a man’s asking for a cup of coffee as his treating her like a slave. *eye roll*) But when we give the other person the benefit of the doubt, everybody’s happier. 🙂

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  16. Very nice! I couldn’t agree more. The beauty and bliss of marriage can only be experienced when both the man and woman approach it with a servant’s heart. It’s actually one of the things that drew me to my husband. His motto for life is “I am here to serve” and it’s so obvious in the things he does and says that he consciously lives this motto every day. In truth, I still catch myself on occasion wondering what I possibly did to deserve such a wonderful man and I am constantly trying to find ways to return the loving service he blesses me with.

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