God2Share

It was a moment.

A moment when I was sure if anyone witnessed what was unfolding, they would have revoked my nomination for the Mother of the Year award.

I’m kidding.

No nominations here.

Just a mom doing the best she can.

And this was a moment when my frustration and emotions got the better of me.

Start with a teenage boy with an attitude.  

Insert “the tone” here.

If you have a teenage son, there is no explanation needed.

Add a runaway dog that you offered to watch for a friend.

Factor in that same son, who did not want to make the trip with you anyway, is now covered in mud.

Stomping back through the woods with “escapee’ back on his leash, my son’s anger could not be contained.

The exchange of words brought me to tears.

As we made our way back to the car, I completely disintegrated.

These were the words I whispered to my red faced son:

“I must be the worst mom in the world for you to think it is ok for you to speak to me in this way.

I thought I had taught you better.”

I cried.

He cried.

I am even crying as I am writing this.

It was such an ugly, raw moment.

And a long car ride home.

He reassured me that I was not the worst mom in the world and that he loved me.

He apologized for the attitude and overreacting.

I apologized for getting emotional and yelling.

As soon as we exited the car at home, he put his arms around me and told me he loved me.

Even in my worst moments, that kid loves me.

But I have to admit, in my worst moments, I do not feel loveable.

That is why God’s love is so remarkable to me.

Truth?

I am the child with the attitude somedays.

I get  “the tone”  with those around me.

When things do not turn out the way I have pictured in my head, I stomp around in frustration.

And all the while, I wonder if God looks at me, shakes His head and asks the same question.

Didn’t I teach you better, child?

In those moments, I choose to ignore what I have been taught and focus on how I feel.

But despite all of this, the Creator of the Universe loves me.

Friends, God knows us.

He sees our best days and our worst days.

And even on our worst days, He still chose to send His son to die for us.

He reassures us with His word.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”  Romans 5: 8

Our Heavenly Father knew long before we breathed our first breath, He would have these moments with us.

Even when we think we are unloveable, God’s love remains unchanging.

His arms are always open, ready to embrace us with His grace.  

Even on our worst days.

Amen.

I could not wait to get home Tuesday night.

For King and Country was playing on CMA Christmas. 

This Christian pop duo was performing their rendition of The Little Drummer Boy.

Did you know that the first recorded version of this song was in 1951 and was performed by the Trapp Family Singers?  

Yes, the same family that inspired the Sound of Music.

The Little Drummer Boy has been performed by a variety of artists over the years, from Bing Crosby to Johnny Cash, The Brady Bunch to Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Bob Dylan to Justin Beiber.

But this is my favorite version of the popular Christmas song.

And it is not just because I fangirl over Joel and Luke Smallbone.

The inspiring performance to an audience of believers and non believers alike Tuesday night brought the lyrics to life for me in a new way.

For King and Country was not performing a song.

They were truly offering their gifts to our King.

And they played their best for Him like I have never seen before.

It literally gave me chills and brought me to tears at the same time.

The song that I have heard since childhood stirred inside me and forced me to search my heart in a deeper way.

What do I have that is fit to offer our King?

What could I possibly offer that He would want?

[ What God Wants ] “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you? He wants you to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him. He wants you to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul.”  Deuteronomy 10:12 NLV

 “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”  Deuteronomy 6:5 NLV

God simply wants us to love Him.

That is a gift each one of us can offer to our King. 

Do I really play my best for Him?

What does my best look like to our Creator? 

 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.  Matthew 5: 43-47 MSG

Friends, these are questions not just to ask on the day we celebrate our Savior’s birth, but each and every day.

What do we have that is fit to offer our King?

Do we play our best for Him?

Our love for Him and for each other is the present that we can all offer our King.

Let’s offer our best to Him today.

“Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men.”

Colossians 3: 23 NLV