So today, my 4 youngest children we singing / dancing in a Christmas play.
It was set on a spaceship that travelled back in time to visit earth when Jesus was born.
It was incredible to see how our kids have grown & the way they participated, but there was something far more powerful…
The younger 4 all had different things that they were working on this year. Areas they recognised that were not their strong suit but were willing to try and grow, despite it being uncomfortable. What an encouragement – firstly that they were willing, able and dedicated to do so. Secondly as the homeschool teacher who volunteers her time cared enough to notice and help them.
It was only later tonight, while encouraging them for their achievement, that I realised something even more powerful. My older two sons came along to watch, but as always were willing to help. They ended up setting up some fo the props & helped pack up etc. I am always proud of their hearts & attitude, but I have become accustomed to it and am guilty of not paying particular attention to it at times – it’s normal for them now…
But as I talked through with the kids, I mentioned how it must have been heart warming for my mum & step dad who were in the audience. But I hadn’t thought how incredible it must be for them seeing my elder two, happy to be with their family at 15 & 17 years old and happy to serve… A far cry from what they saw in my at that age.
Filled with hatred & rage, looking for the next high or rush, using & abusing others for my own gratification, angry & never wanting to be with family. I shudder to think what my poor parents went through – I would hate to have to live with me!
I shared different stories with the kids that highlighted my stupidity and the harsh consequences of so many bad decisions…consequences for myself and others. Those consequences normally would last generations – and we talked about my family history. Filled with alcoholism, broken relationships & marriages, illegitimate children, workaholism and more.
But here we have a room full of precious children on whom the curses have removed! Amazing!
I did nothing to deserve it – in fact the opposite. We talked about how diligent my mum was in prayer – expecting that I would die each night, so praying & fasting for my safe return. #thepowerofaprayingmum In His own time, God opened my eyes & forgave me… Now, here is my family with the desire to honour & serve Him instead of living it ‘up’ and being self centred.
This was a humbling thought, but not the most powerful of the day…
That would come during different parts of the play: one that depicted a re-enactment of the birth of Jesus and during two carols…
To think that the Creator of the universe, the King of Kings, the very Son of God – came to this fallen planet – to that lowly stable and even an animal feeding trough?? To live and resist all temptation to sin, to give up all His life, dreams, possibility of a family, to be despised, rejected, tortured and killed for those who hated Him? For me?
Too much!
#joyfultears
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Romans 5:8-11 (NLT)