April 2026 On the Side: Not a Just
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez via UnSplash
by Dawn Mast
“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor.” Acts 9:36 (NIV)
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to speak to about 500 women. It was a day full of worship music, a stage artist, plenty of vendors and a prayer room made for each of the ladies in attendance.
I wanted my spoken words to be meaningful and to bring a message that God had put on my heart specifically for that day. I looked at the crowd and said, “Who here is a just?” There were some confused looks until I explained that in life, we often describe ourselves as, “just a mom”, “just a doctor’s wife”, “just a secretary”, “just a single lady who drives the school bus”, just, just, just…
But God has called each of us to be more than “just” the name we give ourselves. Even when we read Acts 9 we see Dorcas as a woman who was pretty much flying under the radar. Until you realize that what she did was serve with her whole heart! Once she died (at least temporarily according to verse 40) we saw how the people responded to what her sewing skills and her ministry to the poor meant to them.
As doctor’s wives we can wear a lot of hats depending on where our beloved is in medical training. We keep the home fires burning (sometimes this is literal as I have burned a significant number of meals!), caring for our children, keeping up with the laundry and staying connected to family and friends. And we are all the while supporting and cheering on our medical husbands. Being his helpmeet is a ministry and we can easily lose sight of that when we define ourselves by our household tasks.
God calls us to do things that may feel low, less than and boring, but we are doing it all as part of His plan. He is still fulfilling His plan through us as we change diapers, drive to all the things, prepare meals and take care of our home while our beloved is away caring for the sick. These daily tasks are a ministry to our husbands. Because we have created a restful, safe, loving home environment, he can come home and replenish his soul. We are in a tremendous ministry in caring for the healers. What an honor!!
By serving and loving our husbands well we are creating a ripple to his patients. He will go into work feeling loved, encouraged and fulfilled. In many ways he will be able to care for patients better because he knows you are on his side, praying and encouraging him in his work. This is a vital ministry that is anything but a “just”.
Thank you, Father God for the talents, gifts and abilities You have given me. Please help me on the days when I feel like a “just” and that I’m not doing anything worthy, important or good. I know that if I’m doing something for You, and for my husband with a willing heart then I am doing good for Your Kingdom. I pray Lord that I am making a difference for You and that people are seeing the Truth and hope of Christ in all I do. Thank you, God, for shining in me as I care for our family and as my husband cares for those in our community.
Amen.
Dawn has been married to her Family Medicine husband, Mark, for 34 years. All 4 of their children are grown and flown and are pursuing medicine! Dawn is an encourager and fierce prayer warrior and lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
