So, my oldest daughter started PreK this past week. The first day as we prepared to leave the house and collected her backpack and snack bag and strapped on her tennis shoes I was a bundle of nerves. I was anxious. I worried about sending my baby out into the world without me for the first time. I have been a stay-at-home mom since she was born four years ago. I have done almost everything for the last four years with her by my side. Before her little sister was born, it was just her and me. I was scared to let her go. I was scared to let someone else be responsible for her. I was nervous about germs and viruses and so much more. I was worried she would cling to my leg and I would have to peel her off of me and force her to stay.
But, you know what? It has been great. I have adjusted. She wasn't clingy at all. Her little sister was a bit upset that we were leaving her sissy there all day. But, we have done great. I have worried that she didn't have friends because she has been a little sheltered in the wake of the pandemic and because I'm a stay-at-home mom she hasn't had daycare and preschool to help her make friends.
But, you know what? She is making friends in her own way. The first day she couldn't remember what had happened during the school day. I think it was all just a bit overwhelming. But through the week she shared bits and pieces of the kids she met at school. First, there was a girl with smooth hair. Then she shared that the girl with smooth hair had light-up shoes. Eventually, we learned the girl's name. Then there were new friends. There was a girl with curly hair. There was a girl with beads in her hair. There were boys who all had short hair.
You noticing a theme here?
Well, her father and I certainly did. We may not have gotten much information about the other kids in the class or what was going on, but I think we learned something really valuable about our own child. We learned that she really cares about HAIR.
I also learned that she doesn't care about the other kid's skin color. I love that about my little girl. It doesn't even cross her mind that color would be a defining characteristic of people. It makes my mama heart so happy. I do want to address race with her someday and express how it has shaped and in fact, scarred our history, but at four years old, today's not that day. Yet, it has also shown me something about how people describe other people. We tend to lead with and notice what is important to us. For my daughter, hair is important. She notices it. Maybe because she has always had a lot of hair, and has always been complimented on it.
That theory has been rolling around in my mind for days now and God has been whispering to my heart, "This applies to how people describe me too."
What does that even mean? Well, when we tell other people about God and Jesus and the great salvation that we have in him, where do we start? Do we start with love and mercy or do we start with justice and judgment? What do we tell other people that Jesus has to offer them? Is it love unconditional or is it heaven?
The way we tell others about Jesus reflects what's important to us. If we talk about love and grace and mercy then those are the things that we are grateful for. If we tell people about the relationship that you can have with Jesus and how it will change your life, then that's at the top of your list. That means that the contrary is true too. If our first thoughts are of justice and judgment and getting to heaven, then those are our priorities.
I'm not saying that justice and judgment and heaven aren't important or valid things to share. What I am saying is that how we describe something reveals our priorities. If we are worried about getting to heaven and that there is justice for wrongdoing and judgment on the wicked, then we have forgotten that we are wicked.
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15
Paul knew it. He knew that he was a sinner. He knew that in spite of the fact that he had followed the law to the letter. He knew that in spite of the fact that he was an apostle of Christ. He knew that in spite of starting churches, leading others to salvation, guiding young pastors (Timothy), and even meeting Jesus on a dirt road one day.
We all fall short. When we forget that, then our religion becomes about us instead of about Jesus. It's about how I can be the best and not about how I'm already the worst. It becomes about being better than the guy next to me instead of striving to be like Jesus.
I challenge you this week to look at how you describe Jesus and Christianity to other people. Is it a ticket to being better than the other guy or is it a key to a relationship with Jesus? Maybe some of us need to reevaluate how we describe the important things in our lives.
If you are a subscriber to my emails, there is a new freebie this week. There is a two-week devotional there for you. I pray it will inspire you and help you connect with who God says you are.
Also, if you are a listener to the This Moment Youtube channel, big news, it will now also be available as a podcast if you choose to listen instead of watch. It is currently available on Anchor and Spotify, and will hopefully be available in more places very soon.
Praying for you all. I love you so much, and I'll talk to you again soon.
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