Life disturbed
It’s amazing sometimes to look around you and see what God has entrusted you with. If we operate under the premise that all things are from and of God, than everything I have is from him even if I’m the one that picked it out and exchanged currency for it. About a year ago I would have listed my house, cars, and miscellaneous other things with cords as the things I felt the most responsibility for. I’d probably go off about how we need to be good stewards of these things and treat them with respect. Not necessarily buy the absolute best, but enough quality that it’ll last for a while. I’d be able to probably talk elegantly about it and may even convince you that I had invested some serious time contemplating the Godliness of my DVD player. I was so shallow.
Last August God entrusted me with something wholly different from all the possessions I had previously attained. That would be, of course, my son. Now, I understand that strictly speaking my son isn’t really a possession in the same way my toaster, bike, or even my cat is. But, I do feel that the same area in our brain seems responsible for valuing all these seems in some type of hierarchy. This hierarchy becomes important when it becomes time to evaluate which item on the list will remain with you when it starts working in opposition to another item on the list.
My son Gavin became the ultimate trump card. Suddenly their was this new being on the top of the list and I began to reevaluate the entire structure. Things like family, friends, and God himself showed up in the hierarchy and it was interesting to honestly evaluate their positions. I will confess that God and Gavin do compete for the top spot. I don’t think I could sacrifice him on an alter no matter how much direct interaction with God I had and how plainly he made his will. I am not Abraham, and I’m ok with that.
Gavin is a very special kid. Now, I know that’s something that is said by all parents everywhere, but I’m starting to have an opinion that it may be extra true in the case of my son. You see, he has a lot of personality. More so than you’d think possible from a seven month old. Since the day he came to us he’s made us new friends where ever we go. On airplanes or crowded rooms he’ll seek out other people to look at then when he has their attention give them an infectious smile or a playful look. He’ll turn away, but always return back shortly to make sure they know he’s interested in then. My wife and I have been approached by more strangers that I can possibly tell you.
Two things have happened for me as a direct result of my son. First, I’ve been able to witness a model for the purest form of love talked about by Christ. If you have a desire to see how we are called to live acted out find yourself a baby with the gift of personality. You’ll witness love being lavished on the adult interacting with them in such a quantity you’d fear for the mental health of both participants. In return you’ll see love being consumed by the baby with no guilt or remorse. Both parties it seems transcend mere happiness and exchange actual joy with each other. This may sound like far to much romanticism, but I promise you, if you put your heart in the right place you’ll be a amazed at how merely observing the interaction will effect you.
Second, I’ve been awed by our Father that he could possibly entrust something so overwhelmingly special to my care. I am at the same time amazed and frightened by the responsibility of it all. I would equate it to being handed a canvas with a sketch of the most amazing piece of art already present and being asked to aid in its final form. Not something you approach lightly. It’s a gift and a burden. It’s a testament to where you are, and a call to where God wants you to be. And, it’s completely and act of love an trust.
So may God bless you all with a disturbed hierarchy. May He allow you to view your live anew with new eyes. May He show us all His glory and His love so that we may share it beautifully with each other.
Last August God entrusted me with something wholly different from all the possessions I had previously attained. That would be, of course, my son. Now, I understand that strictly speaking my son isn’t really a possession in the same way my toaster, bike, or even my cat is. But, I do feel that the same area in our brain seems responsible for valuing all these seems in some type of hierarchy. This hierarchy becomes important when it becomes time to evaluate which item on the list will remain with you when it starts working in opposition to another item on the list.
My son Gavin became the ultimate trump card. Suddenly their was this new being on the top of the list and I began to reevaluate the entire structure. Things like family, friends, and God himself showed up in the hierarchy and it was interesting to honestly evaluate their positions. I will confess that God and Gavin do compete for the top spot. I don’t think I could sacrifice him on an alter no matter how much direct interaction with God I had and how plainly he made his will. I am not Abraham, and I’m ok with that.
Gavin is a very special kid. Now, I know that’s something that is said by all parents everywhere, but I’m starting to have an opinion that it may be extra true in the case of my son. You see, he has a lot of personality. More so than you’d think possible from a seven month old. Since the day he came to us he’s made us new friends where ever we go. On airplanes or crowded rooms he’ll seek out other people to look at then when he has their attention give them an infectious smile or a playful look. He’ll turn away, but always return back shortly to make sure they know he’s interested in then. My wife and I have been approached by more strangers that I can possibly tell you.
Two things have happened for me as a direct result of my son. First, I’ve been able to witness a model for the purest form of love talked about by Christ. If you have a desire to see how we are called to live acted out find yourself a baby with the gift of personality. You’ll witness love being lavished on the adult interacting with them in such a quantity you’d fear for the mental health of both participants. In return you’ll see love being consumed by the baby with no guilt or remorse. Both parties it seems transcend mere happiness and exchange actual joy with each other. This may sound like far to much romanticism, but I promise you, if you put your heart in the right place you’ll be a amazed at how merely observing the interaction will effect you.
Second, I’ve been awed by our Father that he could possibly entrust something so overwhelmingly special to my care. I am at the same time amazed and frightened by the responsibility of it all. I would equate it to being handed a canvas with a sketch of the most amazing piece of art already present and being asked to aid in its final form. Not something you approach lightly. It’s a gift and a burden. It’s a testament to where you are, and a call to where God wants you to be. And, it’s completely and act of love an trust.
So may God bless you all with a disturbed hierarchy. May He allow you to view your live anew with new eyes. May He show us all His glory and His love so that we may share it beautifully with each other.
posted by Jeremy | 9:37 AM
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