Last night Teri was out running errands, and Addison and I were settling in for a long playtime and she was lecturing her animals. I have found that this is where her deepest thoughts and impressions are often revealed. She was explaining to her animals why they couldn’t ride the four-wheeler while I was not there. They had been joy-riding while I was at work and got all muddy. (This is pretend, of course.) She was saying this in response to the fact that we don’t ride every day anymore because, since the time change, it is dark when I get home. She still can’t figure out the time change and so in this conversation I could see where her mind was. She said, “Now, aminals (sp. animals) there is a reason we can’t ride four-wheeler every day. It is not dad's fault, he wants to ride us every day. It is God’s fault, but we still love him.” I was trying not to laugh because it made perfect sense as she was working this out in her mind. To her, I can almost do no wrong (unless she is ticked at me) so it must be God’s fault! But theologically she knows enough to know we have to love God so, in spite of everything, we still love him!
I have loved watching my kids grow up. I loved every stage of their development. In preaching on the Incarnation, particularly the humanity of Jesus and dealing last week and this week with his human parents, I wonder what crazy stories they would tell their friends about their son—Jesus, who no doubt did and said some crazy things that were a delight to their hearts. I can see Joseph on the floor, making crazy faces and acting the fool to get his boy to react. Mary, worn out after another endless day of diapers, sickness, or just the vigilance it takes to keep a small human being alive, feeling her frustration melt away as she rocks and tucks him in to bed at night. I also wonder at Mary, looking back after the resurrection and thinking of those early days when she was raising God! Yes, God was that human!
Sometimes we come across truth that is so amazing, so over the top, and so full of mystery we, like Mary, “ponder these things in our hearts.” And ponder with something like wonder that it never gets old. That is a something we don’t think about much—there is a moral beauty in truth. Truth does not only set us free, it gives us deep delight. I am so glad we have about a month set aside to ponder such things. Truths like this can heal your heart a bit in a dark time like the one we are in now.
Join us Sunday as we look at the Incarnation from the perspective of Joseph. We got Mary’s take last week; this week we see Jesus’ human father’s story. It just keeps getting better! Also, remember we have a nursery if you are joining us live, and also Children’s Church. Both are limited so you must sign up. (The link is below.) Hope to see you Sunday, live or via live stream.
Blessings,
Jim