So many people
say, “I love my son (or daughters, or kids) more than…” take your pick. I am sure you’ve heard it too. Also, as mothers, most of us just know we love our sons (or daughters, or
kids) more than anyone could love another person. This may or may not be true, but in our own
eyes it certainly is. Many mothers have
said such things as “I would do anything for my son.” “I live
for my kids, they are my world.” “I
love them more than anything.” (Even
more than their spouse.)
Many mothers are
proud of their sons (or daughter, or kids).
Even Christian parents say that they are proud of their kids but, “in a good way”.
I too love my
son. I think next to Jesus, he’s the
best son there is. My heart is filled
with joy when I think of him; his personality, including the quirks, his
character, his humor, and even his handsome face.
He is polite,
the only 17 year old I know who looks at people in the eye during conversations. He gives a firm handshake and speaks with
confidence and humility at the same time.
He gives of his time and money to help people and has integrity. He is
helpful and caring. He’s a hugger and a
back scratcher and he tells me all the time that he loves me. He just blesses me in every way. Many times people will say, “You should be so
proud of him”. They then proceed to tell
me some act he has done which is approvable in their eyes.
Though I love my
son, as every mother should love their son, I am not proud of him. I know that everything he is has nothing to
do with him. Or me. You see, he was
made. He was formed by the hands of God. He is a product of divine workmanship. Daily, God works in him conforming him into
His image. The Holy Spirit leads and
guides him to represent Christ. Every good
thing in him is because of the Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
My son's life is just
as an example of a potter and clay. The
potter takes some clay and makes a vessel.
Whatever the vessel is or becomes is due to the skill and work of the
potter. The shape, the color, the size,
the decorations and even the purpose is all by the design and construction of the
potter. The vessel has no claim in any
of it. He can take no pride in it. Anyone who comes to have the vessel in
their care also has no claim in the loveliness of it. Just as it is true for the vessel made of
clay, it is true for my son. Every good I
see in him is because of what God has done.
Neither he nor I can claim any credit
or praise for who he is.
So, I am
grateful to God for the blessing He has given.
I am excited about what God has done and is doing in him and in his life.
But neither he nor I can take pride in
him nor in the life he lives since it is all because of God.
Not only was he
formed in the womb by the Father, he was reformed by the work of the Son. If not for Jesus, his life would not be as it
is. This is true for any of us. Whatever good is in us, we have no credit or
praise to take. However we are gifted to
minister in the body, we have no credit or praise to take. Whatever the call of God on our life, we have
no credit or praise to take. Whatever
our talents, we have no credit or praise to take. However awesome we believe our children, spouses or self to
be, we have no credit or praise to take.
If we have been
diligent in discipline, careful to follow the teaching of the Bible, vigilant in
upholding the standards of Christ, we have no credit or praise to take. We have only praise to give to the giver of life and of every good gift.
If people praise
our goodness or our good works, our knowledge or our looks, we have no credit
or praise to take. We have only praise
to give to the giver of life and of
every good gift.
Jesus gave His
all for us. He lived perfectly so we could
have a perfect sacrifice for our sin. He
died to save us from the wrath of God. He
rose to life again so we could live-free from the bondage of sin, sickness, death,
and destruction. He stands in the gap for us. He hears
us when we call. He displays in us the
richness of His grace so that others may see Him in us. He is light in the
darkness. He is the way of escape. He is everything good, everything right,
everything pure, everything holy. He is
almighty, awesome, wonderful, and worthy of ALL credit and praise for every
good thing.
My heart is
filled with joy when I think of Him; His personality, His character, His humor,
and even His handsome face. (He’s God,
He can’t be ugly, right?)
He is confident,
polite, honest, giving, helpful, caring, humble and full of integrity. He tells
me all the time that he loves me. He
just blesses me in every way.
So whether or not you ask me, I will boast
in Jesus, the greatest Son EVER!!!! I
may even proceed to tell you of some act He has done which is approvable in the
eyes of the Father. And if you ask me of my son, I will say that I
thank God for him and am so grateful to God for all that He has done in, for and through
him. God alone deserves all honor, glory
and praise for everything!
