Sunday God Meets Monday MomChikamu

As a kid, I loved to play with Littlest Pet Shops, and used most of my spending money collecting all the animals. I pulled them out of the attic to share with my daughters. They love playing with them as much as I did, but they don’t have the same level of respect for them. To my frustration, they lose and break pieces.

Then Maya cut the tail hair off of the littlest pet shop horse. She could tell that I was upset about my childhood toy being destroyed. Half an hour later, she came to me with a big smile on her face.

“Mom, you are going to be so happy with what I did!”

I was almost too afraid to ask, “What did you do???”

She pulled the toy horse from behind her back. In the place of the missing tail, she had duct taped some curly black thread to create a new tail. “I found a string in my room and when I pulled it apart, it was curly, and I thought it would be perfect to make a new tail for the one that I ruined! Isn’t it great?”

It was great. I don’t really care that much about the horse’s tail, but I care a lot about my girls’ honor and respect. I was so pleased, not by her duct-taped fix, but by her earnest desire to please me.

READ

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. (Psalm 147: 10-11, NIV)

APPLY

When Maya fixed the horse’s tail, she wasn’t doing it to get out of a punishment, from a sense of shame or guilt, or even to earn praise. She was doing it simply because she loved me and wanted to please me. That was the most beautiful gift that she could have offered. Even though the fix was far from perfect, her heart was in it completely.

God wants the same from us. We think of God as a judge who imposes a set of rules. All He wants from us is to do the right thing, to stay in line, and not rock the boat. If we check all the boxes and do nothing wrong, then we will stay on His good side.

The Bible shows us that God is nothing like that at all! God is not a judge, but a Father. While He wants us to make wise choices so we can be in a relationship with Him, unhindered by sin and distraction, He doesn’t desire our sacrifice, but our love. Instead of requiring us to follow a set of rules, He wants us to adore Him with our hearts. He wants so much more than obedience; He wants our love and affection.

PRAY

Father, I want to please You! When I believe that You just want obedience, remind me of how much You desire my love. Let my service for You come from a burning desire to please You rather than from guilt, shame, or obligation. Thank You for creating me to please You and for being pleased with my heartfelt, yet imperfect, love for You.

REFLECT

How can I please God this week?