Sunday, September 27, 2009

The Perfect Gift



Last week my son, Daniel, came home from school and proceeded to give me the above gift.

Instead of being excited about it, he said, "Here Mom, I made this at school but it's got lots of mistakes in it so it's not very nice. Sorry."

I was surprised at his attitude and began to examine the gift. It was beautiful to me because he made it with me in mind. It was also precious because it was full of scriptures that I could read throughout each day.

As far as the flaws, I didn't see any of them. I've hung it in my bathroom and throughout each day I've read at least one of the verses.

I began to think about my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I began to wonder how many times I've decided that I'm not good enough, or that I didn't get it right - again. And how many times I thought I had disappointed God.

Then I felt my Heavenly Father lovingly telling me that He didn't see the flaws in my gifts to Him. He only saw that I tried with Him in mind and that was what He was looking for.

Psalm 50:8-10 "I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills."

Psalm 50:23 "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."

20 comments:

Sandy said...

I have something for you at
www.helpingstudentsdotheirbest.blogspot.com

Warren Baldwin said...

Great metaphor! Like loving parents, I believe God must be overjoyed at the gifts we offer him. The worth of our gifts is not their perfect nature (which they can never be), but the grace of the receiver. Good post.

Sandy said...

Sorry that I didn't comment on your post earlier. This is beautiful, and it's a lot like the sermon I heard this morning.

I understand about you not having time for the award. Thank you so much for taking the time to do your blog and Thankful Thursdays!

Leslie said...

What a cute craft idea (says the preschool teacher)! What do the letters on it stand for?

Just like we love anything made by the hands of our own children, God loves anything His children do for Him!

Have a great week!

Love, Leslie

Andrea said...

Sonya,

This post really touched my heart. I have struggled so many times with feeling inadequate. Thank you for sharing.

Andrea

Kelly said...

I think we've all felt that way. I'm sure you reassured your son, like God reassured you. We love our children and recognize their wonderful efforts on our behalf.

Mimmy said...

Sonya - I found your blog through Kat's Heeart2Heart and I really enjoyed what I was able to read. Thank you very much for sharing your faith and your love for your family and for God.

God Bless,
Mimmy

Skoots1moM said...

what a sweet post...wonderful lesson...i have an ugly mug story that relates to this..http://skirkman.blogspot.com/2009/01/sometimes-hidden-ugly-mug.html

Carolyn R. Parsons said...

How beautiful...it is perfect. Sounds like your son is a perfectionist and has yet to learn the value of the love behind the gift over the aesthetics. It will surely come though with a wise mom like you to teach him!

Breeze

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

What a GREAT idea.....love it

TanyaLea said...

What a beautiful gift...and what a wonderful mother you are! I absolutely LOVE the analogy with how God looks at us. Thanks for posting such encouragement. I haven't been here long, but I LOVE your blog!!

Have a blessed week! <><
~Tanya

Greg C said...

We have lots of those little imperfect gifts that we will cherish all of our lives. It isn't about the gift, its all about the giving.

Unknown said...

What a great gift your little one gave you :)
This is my first visit to your blog. I found you though twitter. Please feel free to visit my blog.
http://www.honoringtheking.blogspot.com

Cheryl Barker said...

It helps so much to remember that our Father loves and accepts us just as much (and even more) as we love and accept our own children. Your post is a wonderful example of this truth, Sonya. Have a blessed week!

Sharon said...

Awww how sweet of your son, but I am sure you fixed everything and let him know it was perfect, just like God says we have done ours.

What a great post to share with us, kids they really teach us so much don't they.

Laurie said...

What a precious analogy. I think I respond to God too often as your son did with you-somewhat embarrassed. But, like you said that is not God's heart for us!
Love and blessings, Laurie

Laurie said...

What a precious analogy. I think I respond to God too often as your son did with you-somewhat embarrassed. But, like you said that is not God's heart for us!
Love and blessings, Laurie

Edie said...

What a wonderful and timely reminder Sonya.

Love you!

Pilar said...

What a wonderful post! That was a blessing to read! Thanks so much for sharing!

Anonymous said...

That is precious!