Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15
My kids pushed me over the edge last week by being completely selfish, self-absorbed and inconsiderate. They took more and more from me with no sign of gratitude or acknowledgement. It made me feel insignificant, disrespected and taken advantage of.
As the cracks broke deeper into my heart, my hurt turned into anger. I lashed out, laid down new ground rules and tried to demand they be the kindhearted and considerate people I know they can be.
When the issues persisted, I gave up and withdrew, no longer willing to go the distance for them – wanting them to reap the negative results of their bad behavior.
Then God reminded me that He feels the same way about me, and the entire world, when we go astray. His heart shatters when we become self-absorbed, selfish and inconsiderate.
But rather than withdraw from us, He comes ever closer – to the point of wrapping Himself in skin and being born in a manger.
He trusts the world enough to make Himself vulnerable, even though He knows we’re not worthy of that trust. He knows that each of us, in our own way, will betray Him, deny Him and weigh down His cross with our own sins.
Still, He comes. Still, He trusts. Still, He loves. Not with the belief that we’ll eventually be worthy of it. But with the surety that we won’t.
Oh, to love like that. Oh, to sacrifice like that.
That’s the reason we need to show up at the manger Every. Single. Day. of Advent. It’s how we get the eyes to see ourselves as we truly are, and receive all that He’s done for us despite that.
That’s how we’re filled with grace and gratitude enough to begin emulating His love for others – whether we’re successful or not, whether they deserve it or not.
Questions for Reflection:
• Are people taking advantage of me – making me feel insignificant?
• Do I take advantage of God and treat Him as if He’s insignificant?
• Does God love me regardless?
• How do I go about emulating God’s love for others, whether they deserve it or not?
Shifting My Perspective 
OMG This! I feel like I’ve withdrawn and I’m trying to reverse that and draw my kids closer to me…..not easy but thanks for sharing your story and for the inspiration !
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So sorry you’re going through this too, Pam. Isn’t it sooooo hard to draw them in when all you want to do is get as far away from them as possible? Thank goodness God doesn’t have the same response. I’ll be praying for the both of us!!
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Thank you for being vulnerable and open enough for me to say “me too”! ❤️
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Awww… thanks Jean! Sorry that you too are going through this. But what a nice time of year for it to happen – so God can remind us what it looks like to draw near vs. distance ourselves. Praying we all receive His grace to follow Him.
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Hi Claire,
So good of you to share this piece of your heart at this time of year. When our children- even adult children- let us down and disappoint us, it certainly crushes our hearts. I prayed for God to help me stop loving my children one day because I was so overwhelmed with disappointment. But you are so right- Oh, to love like Him! The Lord, of course, gently wrapped His loving arms around me and is teaching me to learn to trust Him in all things and put them in His hands. He never disappoints!
I embrace your advice, too, to show up at the manger every single day and be filled with gratitude.
Thank you for your heartfelt words of inspiration.
Merry Christmas!
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You are so right, Mary! God NEVER disappoints. I am going to hold on to that nugget for strength and reassurance the next time my kids disappoint me. How fortunate are we to have a God who never lets us down? I have no idea how people who don’t believe in Him get through life! Merry Christmas to you!!!
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