IT'S CHILDS PLAY
DAY 27: There is an ongoing argument between our kids about who is the favorite child. When they were little ones such thoughts never crossed their minds. However, as they entered the teens years, the competition began. I find the whole thing utterly ridiculous and intensely annoying. It goes without saying that we have never encouraged this debate but it rages on regardless of our efforts to stop it.
As you might suspect, the one who feels he has the strongest claim to superiority of our affections is the first born. Chase is three years older than his brother and four years older than his sister. His logic is that we have loved him longest therefore we must love him best. Conversely, it is the personal mission of both his siblings to knock him down a peg and in the process stake their own claim to favorite. Contributing to the competition was the addition of our adopted son during those teen years and he also feels that since he was chosen into the family he must be the favorite. Even now, when any of them finds themselves in hot water with mom and dad, I invariably hear one of the siblings pronounce, "See mom, I told you I was the good child."
As a mom, it has been my personal mission to make sure each of my kids understands they are favored in my eyes. Every child has his or her own special place in my heart and family that no one else on earth could fill. It is within the capacity of a parent to love without measure, without end, and without prejudice no matter how many kids you have. Such love is not a love that can be earned or won. It is favor by choice. It is the same kind of favor God keeps trying to help me understand I already have since sometimes I also try to earn that special spot with Him. Today, He reminded me once again.
While reading in Matthew today I saw a familiar scene. Like bickering siblings, Jesus disciples were having a competition of their own. They too wanted to know who was the favorite.
Matthew 18: 1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
I think that it is safe to say that the argument they were having did not start because Jesus was showing favoritism. It started because the disciples were suffering from the same misunderstanding that my kids were under: that they could do something to impress God. It took Jesus all of a few seconds to get to the heart of their real issue: pride.
2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The disciples were arguing not like little children, but like spoiled brats who had grown old enough to try to get the best of everything for themselves. It was time to give them one more object lesson - and he used a little child to do it. Little children, like the one Jesus called over to stand in front of them, are unspoiled. They don't desire to be in control and they are fully dependent on their parent without resentment. A child is teachable and accepting and happy to accept love rather than compete for it. Jesus was clear that competing did not make one great, but the one who would come "as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." come.
When we start competing with one another to show we are the "better" child, the more faithful, the hardest church worker, the "good one" our focus has moved off of our loving Father - and on to ourselves. God desires that we simply accept His love through Christ, depend on His care, and live teachable lives. Only those who know they cannot earn God's favor will realize they already have it. And what a reminder, too, that our favor here is just the beginning of what will find its fullness in a Kingdom yet to come.
On days when I watch those around me do great things, even when I am not, I can freely cheer for their success with gusto because I know God has no favorites, but has favor for all His children.
Do you feel favored? Share your thoughts here.
Day 27 of 365 our year journey: Read a little or a lot.
Exodus 4
Exodus 5:1-21
Matthew 18:1-20
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 5:15-21
As a mom, it has been my personal mission to make sure each of my kids understands they are favored in my eyes. Every child has his or her own special place in my heart and family that no one else on earth could fill. It is within the capacity of a parent to love without measure, without end, and without prejudice no matter how many kids you have. Such love is not a love that can be earned or won. It is favor by choice. It is the same kind of favor God keeps trying to help me understand I already have since sometimes I also try to earn that special spot with Him. Today, He reminded me once again.
While reading in Matthew today I saw a familiar scene. Like bickering siblings, Jesus disciples were having a competition of their own. They too wanted to know who was the favorite.
Matthew 18: 1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
I think that it is safe to say that the argument they were having did not start because Jesus was showing favoritism. It started because the disciples were suffering from the same misunderstanding that my kids were under: that they could do something to impress God. It took Jesus all of a few seconds to get to the heart of their real issue: pride.
2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The disciples were arguing not like little children, but like spoiled brats who had grown old enough to try to get the best of everything for themselves. It was time to give them one more object lesson - and he used a little child to do it. Little children, like the one Jesus called over to stand in front of them, are unspoiled. They don't desire to be in control and they are fully dependent on their parent without resentment. A child is teachable and accepting and happy to accept love rather than compete for it. Jesus was clear that competing did not make one great, but the one who would come "as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." come.
When we start competing with one another to show we are the "better" child, the more faithful, the hardest church worker, the "good one" our focus has moved off of our loving Father - and on to ourselves. God desires that we simply accept His love through Christ, depend on His care, and live teachable lives. Only those who know they cannot earn God's favor will realize they already have it. And what a reminder, too, that our favor here is just the beginning of what will find its fullness in a Kingdom yet to come.
On days when I watch those around me do great things, even when I am not, I can freely cheer for their success with gusto because I know God has no favorites, but has favor for all His children.
Do you feel favored? Share your thoughts here.
Day 27 of 365 our year journey: Read a little or a lot.
Exodus 4
Exodus 5:1-21
Matthew 18:1-20
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 5:15-21
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