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- Feb 9, 2004
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- 17,078
"And It Was Good"
- July 22, 2005
"Mom, I noticed I was really good today." I tried to fight the chuckle. At least I made it sound more like a cough. I think he bought it. It's just that a five-year-old's idea of good and a mom's idea of good are sometimes wildly different. I thought, "Where was he when I was doing laundry and had to pull six worms out of the pockets of his shorts?" (Two were still alive.) Did he not even notice that sucking Jello through a straw was not my idea of a good time? Did he still think convincing his brother that he was adopted was a good thing? Of course, if he meant that he hadn't done any lasting property damage and that he hadn't committed a single felony all day, then, sure, I guess we could call this a "good" day. And at least I never got bored.
Instead of saying what I was thinking, I managed to respond to with, "You do lots of good things every day. Did you know that I like having you around?" I really meant it. That had to be a gift from God. He is so good.
Speaking of good, I love the account of creation. Talk about good! As a matter of fact, the first chapter of Genesis is full of "God saw and it was good" accounts. "Good" in the Genesis context means, "exactly right for the purposes intended." God had a really great week.
I can't imagine anything sweeter than getting to the end of this life and hearing Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." In five-year-old-ese, I think it could probably be translated, "I noticed that you were really good." Not good in my own goodness, but good through the borrowed righteousness of Christ and empowered for good deeds through his Holy Spirit. That thought is sweeter to me than even the longest stretch of worm-free laundry. I can't think of anything more glorious than hearing Him say that I was "exactly right for the purposes intended."
It spurs me on to the good works He's planned for me to do. I don't think sitting around watching soaps and popping chocolates all day was ever part of God's plan. Genesis 2:15 says, "Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it." Tending and keeping was probably no small job. It had to be at least as tough as raising a five-year-old. But working for the Lord is good." There is blessing in good deeds and blessing in hard work. Laziness was never part of God's plan; neither was boredom.
Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site.
- July 22, 2005
"Mom, I noticed I was really good today." I tried to fight the chuckle. At least I made it sound more like a cough. I think he bought it. It's just that a five-year-old's idea of good and a mom's idea of good are sometimes wildly different. I thought, "Where was he when I was doing laundry and had to pull six worms out of the pockets of his shorts?" (Two were still alive.) Did he not even notice that sucking Jello through a straw was not my idea of a good time? Did he still think convincing his brother that he was adopted was a good thing? Of course, if he meant that he hadn't done any lasting property damage and that he hadn't committed a single felony all day, then, sure, I guess we could call this a "good" day. And at least I never got bored.
Instead of saying what I was thinking, I managed to respond to with, "You do lots of good things every day. Did you know that I like having you around?" I really meant it. That had to be a gift from God. He is so good.
Speaking of good, I love the account of creation. Talk about good! As a matter of fact, the first chapter of Genesis is full of "God saw and it was good" accounts. "Good" in the Genesis context means, "exactly right for the purposes intended." God had a really great week.
I can't imagine anything sweeter than getting to the end of this life and hearing Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." In five-year-old-ese, I think it could probably be translated, "I noticed that you were really good." Not good in my own goodness, but good through the borrowed righteousness of Christ and empowered for good deeds through his Holy Spirit. That thought is sweeter to me than even the longest stretch of worm-free laundry. I can't think of anything more glorious than hearing Him say that I was "exactly right for the purposes intended."
It spurs me on to the good works He's planned for me to do. I don't think sitting around watching soaps and popping chocolates all day was ever part of God's plan. Genesis 2:15 says, "Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it." Tending and keeping was probably no small job. It had to be at least as tough as raising a five-year-old. But working for the Lord is good." There is blessing in good deeds and blessing in hard work. Laziness was never part of God's plan; neither was boredom.
Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site.
