A Daughter with a Servant's Heart

What can I say about our oldest daughter, Katie? She has been a model of a servant. Since she is older than ten others in our family, she has willingly taken on numerous responsibilities. Beth informed me several years ago that Katie without any prompting by Mom took on the responsibility of providing lunch for the rest of the family every day. Beth has commented more than once at how freeing this was for her, and how blessed she was to have Katie do this. Even now, when Katie has to be away, she will either rearrange her schedule or work it out with Mom or one of the older brothers to cover for her in this regard.

Whenever we have any activity that requires us to dress up, Katie is actively involved in helping her little sisters get ready. She has five little sisters, ages two to ten years old, so this is no small task. She usually does the hair for each of them, creating new and stylish braids that make them look beautiful. My observation is that she makes sure all of the rest of the girls are ready before she starts on herself--another sign of a servant.

For several years, since she was about 13 or 14, Katie has been faithful in playing the piano for our worship services. It started one winter while we were having services at the Tamiami RV Park in North Fort Myers. There was a woman who played who did a fine job. One year she said, "I think it would be good for Katie to be able to play, as this will be a good training ground for her." Well, what started as a training ground turned into a long-term commitment, and for this I am thankful. I have never had to worry about having an accompanist for our services. She has done it now for about seven or eight years. Even though I'm not always that quick to give her a list of songs for the next Sunday, I have yet to hear her complain about playing.

She has been a blessing to our whole family. Someday, some young man will appear on the horizon in Katie's life, and she will leave our home to start one of her own. Both Beth and I recognize the great gap that will be left when that happens. For now, we appreciate every day we have with her as she has grown into a beautiful and godly young woman!