Sometimes you have to give something to get something
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously and He will give you everything you need.” Matthews 6:33 (NIV)
Real MOMent
Right before Christmas, my daughter’s dance company sent an email to parents asking us to contribute to the wish list for a family they were sponsoring. One of the wish list items was a doll. Since my 4-year-old daughter is into the doll baby and Disney princesses phase, I thought it was a good idea to pick up one of my daughter’s favorite Disney’s princesses, Tiana, for us to give.
The morning of her dance class, as we were walking out of the door, I handed her the new Princess Tiana doll and before I could explain the purpose of the new doll, her eyes lit up with joy! In efforts to lessen any increased disappointment I could see building in our near future, I quickly started to explain that we were going to give it to another little girl who was not going to have a lot of toys for Christmas. She quickly gripped the doll box tighter and told me that she wanted the doll for herself. As one could have imagined, there was a lot of back and forth between myself and my preschooler, as I tried to explain the importance of giving to someone who was less fortunate. During the discussion and in between her tears (and screams), my daughter desperately offered to go to the playroom and pick out some of her old toys to give to the girl instead of the new Princess Tiana doll. The car ride to dance class that morning was the longest.
I really didn’t think the entire situation through. In my mind, I thought it was going to be a Hallmark moment and not the real-life horror it ended up being. However, there was one unknown factor that my daughter wasn’t aware of that I knew. There was a 32 inch Princess Tiana doll (way bigger than the one we were giving away) in the closet waiting to be wrapped and placed under our Christmas tree. I knew the doll that required her to wait a few more days until Christmas morning, was so much grander than the one she was crying about giving away to charity.
MOMent of Clarity
The doll situation explained in the “The Real Moment” begin to spiral in my head and had me questioning if I was completely failing at teaching Acts 20:35, “… It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” My children’s village is just as important for them as it is for me. Based on a discussion I had with my daughter’s godmother, I was reminded that her response was more a reflection of her age vs. my parenting. While giving to charity is a good thing to do and even a concept my daughter could get behind, giving up something new that she wanted for herself would require a level of maturity that she had not yet developed.
There have been many times when I (at my very big age) have been disappointed about having to give up something that I really cherish, for example MY TIME. I place huge significance in my time to exercise, to be with my family, to sleep, to be alone, and even find merit in my time to do nothing. Much like my daughter, I find it easier to give up something that I might find value in (like her old toys) but not cherish as much (like the new Princess Tiana doll). For example, it is easier for me to set aside time on Sunday mornings to attend church because that is a part of my family’s weekly routine. However, creating time by waking up a little earlier during the work week to connect with the Lord or dedicating my time to Him by cutting off my latest Netflix show after the kids finally have gone to sleep to do my Bible study feels a lot harder. As I continue to grow in my Christian walk, I can easily recognize that any time spent with the Father is more rewarding and valuable than watching what is going to happen next in the pods on Netflix’s “Love is Blind.” Where my daughter didn't know about the 32 inch doll waiting for her, the Bible clearly tells us that spending time and seeking Him first will give us everything we need (paraphrase of Matthew 6:33).
There will be times when I must give up something to get something better. I may not understand or fully know what is in the closet (in my daughter’s case) or what God has in store for me (in my case). However, I do understand there is a certain level of spiritual maturity that is required to accept not knowing what God has for me, without focusing on what is being taken away from me. I can have faith that God’s plan, no matter if I have to wait a few more days (my version of Christmas morning) or even years, will be grander and much better than anything that I am asked or required to give up.
I am praising Jesus for being the ultimate sacrifice, the sacrificial Lamb. The fact that He gave His life, so that I have an opportunity for an eternal one is something that deserves PRAISE everyday and not just around Easter. |
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 Younger Children:
Read and review this devotional from "The One Year: Devotions for Preschoolers" by Crystal Bowman on the subject on giving. See screenshot below:
 Older Children through Adults: While I am not Catholic during the Lenten season, I normally give up a few things and then add a few spiritual practices. Join the Real Moms Community on Thursday, February 8th in our day of sacrifice. Give up something that you find truly valuable, pray and meditate on how your sacrifice can be used for God’s glory. Discuss with your child/ friend and hold each other accountable. Share any testimonies of what God has shown you during this time. Adults: Truly recognizing how big of a sacrifice Jesus made, can’t be done until one really knows who He was. The Bible study “Matchless: The Life and Love of Jesus” is a light-hearted study that we have enjoyed that provides a refreshing, realistic look on Jesus’ life. |
 Dear God, Thank you for loving us so much that You gave up someone who you deeply loved, Your son, so that we can have a chance at eternal life. Jesus thank You for giving up Your life so that we can have the Holy Spirit as our 24 hours counselor here on Earth. Please forgive me when I have not had the spiritual maturity to give back to You, a portion of what You have given to me. Continue to allow my eyes to be open to see when the Holy Spirit is showing me areas/things that I need to give up so that I can receive better and help Your kingdom be glorified. Please provide me and my village (mom village and village for my children) with needed discernment and words to teach my children, Your children the way in which they should live for You. Thank you for all the things you have taken away/will take and replace, especially when the loss has resulted/will result in knowing You in a different light. In Your Son’s name we pray, AMEN |
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