I wrote this several years ago, but I still need to hear it now and then so maybe I’m not the only one.
My devotion this morning was from Mark 10, Jesus’ response to the disciples turning away children. . Here is The Message version: “The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: ‘Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.’ Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.”
Luci Swindoll (Pastor Chuck’s sister) told a story about the children’s choir singing at her church. The young boys proudly wore dress shirts and ties. The little girls were in all varieties of sparkly dresses. They sang with all their hearts how their God is big and mighty, and the whole world is in His hands. One girl took her time exiting the stage, waving to all the world “as though she were Queen of the Rose Parade.” But another young lady fascinated the audience because after every song the children sang, this girl curtsied!
She didn’t seem to do it out of pride. She didn’t mind that no one joined her. She thought it was the proper thing to do and so she did. Children are like that. They just are who they are, without inhibitions.
Somewhere along the way, I lost that. I often have a constant stream of thoughts in my head about whether I am presenting myself “professionally” or “properly” enough. What will [insert name] think of me for this? Sometimes I don’t think I’ve done something well “enough”, and so I’m unhappy with myself and thus, I figure so is everyone else.
I forget at times, that God’s opinion is the only one that matters. He claims me as His child, and says it’s OK that I’m a “work in progress”. Wow! That frees me from being “enough” of anything.
My devotion ended with “Be comfortable in your own skin and see what happens. And don’t forget to curtsey!”