One afternoon, when Connor was in the foulest mood and I was at the end of my patience, I remembered the box way up in the cabinet out of sight. I announced that we had a 'magic box' with treats inside.
Ears perked. "What's in there, Mama?"
"Ohh, very special treasures! BUT, these are only for sweet, obedient, helpful, and kind children."
I felt a little bit guilty about that, but, like I said, I was out of patience.
He asked, "Am I a very sweet and kind boy?" His hands were out, all ready to receive--and, in that moment, he looked almost angelic.
My heart melts. My mind was saying, 'at least make him work for it...get him to clean up the endless piles of cars on the floor.'
But no.
"Of course you are sweetie!" with a big kiss on his cute cheek, as I untied the bow. His face lit up and he jumped up into my arms giving me a huge huge. "Thank you Mama!"
There we were. Connor munching on a chocolate valentine heart while I stood beside him at the counter, so happy to be able to give him such pleasure.
I don't know--maybe my motherly instincts didn't totally miss that day. Surely, along with the sugar in him tummy, the take away of that moment will remind Connor later of another unearned gift.
In Matthew, Jesus said,"be like these children: full of trust in God. They are the most important in the kingdom." The children ran and jumped into Jesus' arms with no worry about how good they were, or how important they were, or even how nice and kind they were.
God's love is a gift. All you have to do is reach out and take it.
Maybe someday he'll remember moments like that--when he was rewarded for doing absolutely nothing--and think of God's amazing gift of his son for us, one also unearned. The biggest and most special gift of all.
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