my precious ones…
It was just this afternoon that I sat down with my two younger children to read a story. I love story time with them, especially if we’re going to read from one of my favorite books: The Jesus Storybook Bible.
Mackenzie usually will run for “her” Bible and bring it to me for us to share. Normally everyone loves to hear a story or two, and I tend to leave them begging for more. Today was different…
We had not been able to get the wiggles out earlier in the day. No one could share the page turning responsibilities. Neither child could be quiet to save their life – and they were unable to sit still at all. Normally, they snuggle up close, sharing my lap… Unfortunately story time turned into a shouting and wrestling match and I heard myself yelling above the frey, SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET SO I CAN READ THIS STORY ABOUT JESUS!
Nice. It was NOT one of my finer moments as a mother, I assure you.
In fear and trembling, they sat quietly as I read the story to them of how Jesus fed thousands with just five loaves and two fish. And there, at the end of the passage, there were words that moved my heart. It was as if someone had penned them with me in mind. Let me share them with you:
Well, Jesus did many miracles like this. Things people thought couldn’t happen, that weren’t natural. But it was the most natural thing in all the world. It’s what God had been doing from the beginning, of course. Taking the nothing and making it everything. Taking the emptiness and filling it up. Taking the darkness and making it light.
This is how God works in my heart, through words simple enough for a child. As I read these thoughts out loud, with the same lips that had just spewed frustration and impatience all over my children, I realized something important. Only a God who can take nothing and make it something, who takes dark and makes it light, and who can feed 5,000 is going to be able to change my heart. He is the only one who can continue this work of patience-growing… taking my frustration and turning it to understanding and love…
It seems the work in my heart is so unnatural. And it is. He is the only one who can remove the sin and grow His fruit… It feels like it is as monumental and miraculous as feeding 5,000 with such a tiny amount of food. But there is hope for my heart; He is THE MOST capable God.
Heavenly Father, Will you take this heart and do the unusual and unlikely? Fill me with your love to overflowing. Help me learn in these moments how to let your love and your goodness erupt and remove this ugly selfishness and impatience. Please, take the darkness and make it light. amen.
daily portion 