Pages

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

stickers


I am not grateful. Not even a little bit. I demand and expect things.

I am like my students.

I love my students, but the thing that irks me the most is when - at the end of the school day - my students run up to me, hold out their hand, and demand a sticker for their good behavior that day.

"Give me a sticker please!" Midou and Alan will yell with their hands outstretched.

Yes, I know they technically earned it. And I'm pleased they care and want to behave....but the fact that they demand a sticker and forget to say thanks - just irks me. And saddens my heart.

But I am like my students. I am like Midou and Alan. I run up to God and demand a sticker.

I read your Word today, God. I woke up extra early to pray with the ladies. I gave my time to others. I didn't yell at my students. I moved to China. I went to my local friend's hometown when I wanted to go on vacation. I volunteered at church. Sooo.... 

"Give me a sticker, please." Give me a good life, God. Give me an easy day. Give me comfort. Give me my dreams. Give me extra energy and a nice taxi driver. 

And I stick out my hand and wait with impatient expectation for these "stickers."

Its sickening really.

As if I could demand the gracious blessings of God in return for my seemingly "good behavior."
Just like my students do.

I don't want to be like Midou or Alan.

I want to be like Judy.


Judy is my angel student. She gets a sticker everyday. She is nigh perfect. Seriously. And yet, instead of racing up and demanding a sticker at the end of each day, Judy waits to be called. She appears genuinely surprised at times. She humbly extends her hand, looks me in the eye, and says, "Thank you, Teacher R*."

Every. single. day.

As if the sticker wasn't ever really the goal in the first place.

I want to be like Judy. I want to be humble and grateful. I want my vision to extend so much greater than just a comfortable life here and now. I want my desire to be the eternal Christ. I don't want "stickers."

I want to want Christ.

And if - in the process of pursuing and gaining more of Him - He throws in a few extra "stickers," I want to be so incredibly surprised and thankful.

Because, after all, "stickers" should never really be the goal in the first place.

"...For His sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ..." Philippians 3:8


1 comment:

  1. Wow--that is profound and lovely--thank you friend! Naomi

    ReplyDelete