Colors

Have you ever been somewhere when someone said something absolutely awkward and unexpected?




I know I have.  And a couple of times that person was me, so I know all too well what that is like.  I don't know what's more painful - having to suffer through the awkwardness of the moment or realizing you're the person who caused it all in the first place.


This very thing happened to me the other day, though (thankfully) it was while I was driving with Isabella.  In fact, we were the only people who present.


I was scanning through radio stations and stopped on a station playing "Someone Like You" by Adele.  I commented to Isabella that it was a really good song (her voice is incredible!) and we continued driving, listening all the while. About halfway through the first chorus Isabella asked a question that (insert awkward moment here) blew me away,

"Is she black?"

Umm...what??  Where did she learn that?  I can promise it's not from me and Beth - we love people of all races and proudly have friends from all over the spectrum of race, nationality, and culture.  Regardless, this is what I (and countless others, I'm sure) refer to as a "teachable moment."


So, we talked.  For a long time.  About how there are all varieties of people, from all over the world.  They have different skin color, language, culture, personal experiences.  All things that make them unique and beautiful and wonderful.


But they all have one thing in common.


God loves them.
He made them in His image.
He sent His beloved Son to die for them.
He wants them to worship Him with all of their lives.
And He commissioned us to tell them.


I don't know about you, but talking with my daughter about the gospel was even better than the song playing in the background.  I hope we have many more like it.




Starting a new thing on this post - question of the day. Leave your comments in the space below!


QOTD: What interesting or deep questions have your children asked you?  How did you respond? If you don't have kids, what questions did you ask your parents?  How did they respond?

Beautiful

We went to a "send off" party this afternoon for some friends of ours. Turns out, it was actually a surprise wedding! Through it all, I couldn't get the imagery of the bride of Christ out of my mind. As beautiful as the bride was, the Church is that much more beautiful to Christ.


In fact, the song 'Beautiful' by MercyMe comes to mind every time we go to a wedding, as I think through the idea that Christ was willing to face "death, even death on a cross" for our sake.  For me, the wedding this afternoon was yet another incredible reminder that Christ didn't just save us from our sins (though that would be enough) - we were adopted and made beautiful by the blood of Christ.  Where our sins would condemn us to eternity without God, there He stands, our Father, calling His children beautiful through the work of Jesus on the cross.

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us..." Galatians 3:13

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."  2 Corinthians 5:17

Paul says later in 2 Corinthians that Christ "became sin" so that we could become "the righteousness of God."  There has been a miraculous work done for our sakes, one that I still can't get my head around, but it was done nevertheless.  It will never cease to amaze me that this redemption work was done to restore and renew our relationship with God.  It will perpetually put a smile on my face and a song in my heart that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."


I think ultimately what I'm trying to say is that you are valuable to God.  You matter to Him.  No matter what you face in life, no matter what anyone says, God cherishes you.  Come to Jesus.  Let Him wash away the stains of sin and clothe you in garments of white.  Let Him whisper in your ear, the gentle reminder that:

"You're beautiful.  You are treasured.  You are sacred.  You are His."