Priorities, Part 2

In my last post, I told you all about my half-rate holiday: our dinky Christmas tree, our meager cookie selection, and my ugly tree-topper.

But I also told you that I am beginning not to care.

Recently, something has clicked as I've read through the gospels.

I've noticed that Jesus is totally OK with diverting his plans when a bunch of people show up and want to be with him:

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. (Matt. 14:13-14)

Jesus always had this big bunch of poor, sick, needy people following him around! Go read for yourself in Mark chapter 3. It says there were so many people hounding him, he couldn't even eat!

But he never stressed about getting things accomplished in spite of all those pesky people (Are you hearing this, moms?).

In fact, I think we'd be safe to say he gladly received the people because he believed:

• They were the plan.
• They were God's plan.
• They were God's to-do list,therefore they became his to-do list.
  
• They were God's will for him to accomplish. If he welcomed them, he did all he needed to do, and never fell short.

Not only did he welcome them when they came, he actually extended his hand to them first! Who hasn't heard Jesus' most famous invitation from Matthew 11?

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

In Revelation 3, we also have the vivid picture of Jesus standing "at the door," knocking to come in. Not the other way around. He's pursuing, inviting, extending, and initiating.

Moms, are we like Jesus? Do our kids get in the way of our holiday "plans?" Or are they our plans? Are we initiating time and affection with our kids? Are we too busy that they have to ask, beg, and follow us around, nipping at our heels?

Forget lively parties, lavish decorations, and luscious desserts. Christmas is a time when little children are the most fascinated with the person of Jesus, a baby, small, just like them. They are tender towards him. They are full of questions, ready for reflection, eager for stories, and bright with anticipation.

I don't want to cheat myself out of the same love Jesus felt, and the same peace he had, in knowing he was doing exactly what he ought to be, in being with the people.

I'm glad Jesus didn't sit around waiting for me to grovel to him! I feel loved knowing he extended his hand to me before I even asked.

My children should have that too...

...so the tree skirt and the cookies will just have to go.