My son and I have a little game we like to play on the way to school. It seems to get his mind off the five hours he will be away from me and ease the transition to his school day.
Usually he starts it by saying, "Mommy, I AM going to hug Miss Connie today." So I dramatically and desperately reply, "Noooooooo, Don't you give her all my loving."
"Yes I will," he asserts, which is my signal to offer elaborate sobbing sounds that send him into a giggle. Our playful exchange goes on for the three mile trip to the church until I hang my head and submissively conclude it with, "Ok you are in charge of your hugs."
On Thursday, Andrew changed it up a little. "Mommy," he said, " I AM going to hug Miss Connie today. Are you going to hug Jesus?"
Out of the mouths of babes.
I had to swallow hard before I could answer because I knew my Heavenly Father had used my son to speak to my heart, and in that moment my answer was meant for Him.
Will you use any of your limited time today on things that make eternal differences?
Will your words build others up or will you slide down the slippery slope of gossip?
Will you honor your commitment to respect your husband or will you nag him when he falls short of your lofty expectations?
Will you practice patience and lovingkindness with your children or will a busy schedule breed a short temper?
As I considered all of these things, I realized the Lord wasn't asking me if I was going to be perfect. He knows my answer to that. It's no.
Instead, he used Andrew's innocent question to remind me that I was created with a purpose to love and glorify God. What I do matters.
Yes, Andrew, I want to hug Jesus today and everyday.
Promise for Today:
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:37-40
Usually he starts it by saying, "Mommy, I AM going to hug Miss Connie today." So I dramatically and desperately reply, "Noooooooo, Don't you give her all my loving."
"Yes I will," he asserts, which is my signal to offer elaborate sobbing sounds that send him into a giggle. Our playful exchange goes on for the three mile trip to the church until I hang my head and submissively conclude it with, "Ok you are in charge of your hugs."
On Thursday, Andrew changed it up a little. "Mommy," he said, " I AM going to hug Miss Connie today. Are you going to hug Jesus?"
Out of the mouths of babes.
I had to swallow hard before I could answer because I knew my Heavenly Father had used my son to speak to my heart, and in that moment my answer was meant for Him.
Will you use any of your limited time today on things that make eternal differences?
Will your words build others up or will you slide down the slippery slope of gossip?
Will you honor your commitment to respect your husband or will you nag him when he falls short of your lofty expectations?
Will you practice patience and lovingkindness with your children or will a busy schedule breed a short temper?
As I considered all of these things, I realized the Lord wasn't asking me if I was going to be perfect. He knows my answer to that. It's no.
Instead, he used Andrew's innocent question to remind me that I was created with a purpose to love and glorify God. What I do matters.
Yes, Andrew, I want to hug Jesus today and everyday.
Promise for Today:
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:37-40
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