Today’s Daily Bread ~ Toy Story

Hebrews 13:5 – Stay away from the love of money, be satisfied with what you have.  For God has said, “I will never fail you.  I will never forsake you.”

I have a full house at the moment.

My youngest sister and her husband have taken a little trip to sunny California (can’t say I blame them), and this week I have the honor of hosting my 2 ½ year old niece and my 9 month old son.

My own two children, Caitlyn and Nick, are delighted to welcome another playmate into the mix, and have taken Isabella under their proverbial wings.  Mike and I, on the other hand, find ourselves straining to remember how to entertain a baby.

Yesterday while making dinner, I decided that young Christian needed to be contained, so I put him in the high chair and filled the tray with toys.  None of them seemed to hold his attention for more than a few seconds.  As I looked at him, wondering how to balance baby and dinner preparations, my mind flashed back to a scenario with Nick.

I’d met my sister and one of her girlfriends for brunch.  Nick was with me, not yet a year old.  I had a baby bag packed to the brim with diapers, snacks and toys.  Nothing interested him, and he continued to squeal and squirm until, with no other options coming to mind, I placed several spoons in front of him.  Nicholas picked up the spoon, saw his upside down reflection in the shiny silver, and sat there, entertained, for the duration of the meal.

I reached into the silverware drawer and grabbed several spoons of various colors and sizes, and placed them on the tray.  For good measure, I added a spatula and a bowl scraper.  Christians looked at his newfound playthings with wide eyes.  He looked at me, back at the tray, and back at me.  Then he picked up the bowl scraper and a large spoon and went to town on the high chair like a seasoned drummer.  I kissed his precious head and went back to fixing dinner.

What is it about young kids and toys?  Every parent I’ve ever talked to has had the same Christmas/birthday experience: you spend all this money on all these toys, and they’re only interested in the shiny paper and ribbons. Sometimes they wait impatiently for you to get the item out of the package, only to bypass the toy entirely for the box.  In my opinion (which, along with 65 cents, will buy you a coke and nothing more), they’re onto something.

A few years ago during my time spent on the Dorsey Gang, KSCS sent me and my husband to Hollywood to see the red carpet premiere of The Aviator, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.  We took it all in with wide eyes, watching as the stars stepped out their limousines and strolled by the press like it was just another day at the office.

At the after-party, Mike and I had the chance to meet Leonardo, Gwen Stefani, Paris Hilton and a few others.  What struck me was this: They all had the same impatient expression on their faces.  All those accolades, all that money, all of the people waiting to praise them, and they were bored.  They all looked like they couldn’t wait to leave. 

All the toys in the world won’t satisfy you like the simple things in life.  I would trade the sun rising over Grand Lake in Oklahoma over a Hollywood party any day.  My kids and I laugh harder and have more fun playing “dance like crazy” than we do at a $10 3D movie, and Mike and I had one of our best dates ever a few weeks ago, just sitting at starbucks, laughing and talking.

Money cannot buy the peace, contentment and joy found in a discipline-led life with Jesus Christ.

When I start my day with Christ, all of my priorities seem to fall into place.  I have more patience, more self-control.  I’m less likely to gossip and more likely to love.  I can hear the Holy Spirit when He urges me to choose compassion and understanding over judgment. I am more likely to set myself aside for others, and am consistently delighted in the joy I find when I do.

1 Peter 1:24-25 – As the prophet says, “People are like grass that dies away; their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of wildflowers.  The grass withers, and the flowers fall away.  But the word of the Lord will last forever.”  And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.”

When we build our lives on the foundation of the Gospel, we start to see life the way God wants us to; from a heavenly perspective.  We start to understand that God absolutely delights in blessing us; not so we can constantly upgrade our lifestyle, buying every new toy or trinket that hits the market, but so we can be a blessing to others.  So we can extend the comfort and compassion that Jesus extends to us.  So we can give our time, talents and finances to further God’s Kingdom on earth.  Not so we can store up treasures here that bring no lasting peace or pleasure.  So we can store up treasures in Heaven, and ensure that everyone within our circle of influence has a room in the Father’s mansion.

Dear Heavenly Father, You have blessed us so much.  Help us to look at our things with grateful hearts, celebrating what we have instead of mourning what we don’t.  Remind us that You are far more interested in our eternal security than our immediate comfort.  Show us areas where we can bless others, Father.  Bring opportunities our way, and give us the right words to say.  Help us witness in a manner that attracts people to Jesus rather than pushes them away.  Help us to delight in You.  Help us to seek Your ways and Your will.  Give us wisdom, discernment, compassion, kindness and patience.  Fill our hearts with the love of Your Holy Spirit.  We love You so much God, help us to love You more!  We thank You for the amazing work on the cross, and for Your Son sent to die for our sins.  It is in the beautiful name of Jesus Christ our Lord that we pray.  Amen.