I have seven kids. They range from 18 months old to 18 years old. Our home is complete with a toddler, a preschool princess, two young and energetic boys, two teenage daughters, and a son who is about to spread his wings and fly.
I may be their mother, but I am learning so much from them!
Trying to remember who I was when I was their age…and who I wasn’t. Seeing the world through their eyes by answering a myriad of questions.
Begging Jesus to help me to hear ALL of their voices and hearts and see their eyes when I feel like I’m being bombarded.
To be aware of what’s important to each of them…what makes them happy, sad, nervous, scared. Today, I think I’ve got a handle on things…today, I think I am doing pretty well…but there’s always tomorrow when the wheel may fall off the wagon. Which is why I am eternally grateful that Jesus loves each of them more than I do…and knows each of them better than I ever could! Praise Him!
Today I read a story in Matthew 9:27-31. It says that Jesus was going somewhere and two blind men were following him saying, “Have mercy on us…”.
They were blind and wanted Jesus to heal them. Verse 28 says that when Jesus had gone indoors, the blind men came to him and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord” they replied.
Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”(Matthew 9:29).
They were instantly healed. Jesus then told them to quietly go…but they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
As I read this, it reminded me of my kids. Here’s why.
Jesus was going somewhere; from what I understand in scripture, he just left the synagogue. I assume he was tired and had lots on his mind. Then enter the blind men, who came up like children wanting to be heard.
How often am I tired with lots on my mind? How often do I just want to get to the next place to gather myself?
The Bible says that when Jesus had gone indoors, the blind men came to him.
He finally gets there, sits down, takes a deep breath, maybe drinks a glass of water…and here they come. I wonder how he’s feeling at this point.
I believe that he had enough time to gather himself when he stopped in his humanity to HEAR their hearts and SEE their blind eyes. I find myself feeling guilty often that I am not 100% on point with my kids at all times.
Sometimes I just need a few minutes to gather myself, take a deep breath, sit down, and drink a glass of water before I can help. This busy Mom is thankful God gave us this example in scripture.
I am also thankful for the scripture that follows. Jesus asked THEM a question. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He doesn’t just give them what they want and hurry them away, but He gets to their heart.
How many times do I just give them what they want instead of getting to their hearts?
“Mom, I can’t do this math problem!”…me, “let me help.” “Mom, he took my toy!"…me, “give it back.” “Mom, I need some money!…me, “here.” I should be saying things like, “yes you can”, “consider others more important than yourself”, and “I have a chore that you can do to earn some money”.
TEACHABLE MOMENTS!
They are everywhere! Training their hearts with the end goal of believing in themselves and the One who created them! Jesus gives us this example. He questions them to see if their hearts are right and then heals them according to their faith.
The last part of the story, where Jesus has done His job and sends them on their way makes me think of something different. “Go now and be quiet.”
And do they? NO! They are so excited over the miracle that just happened that they can not help themselves.
This particular example reminds me of the church. Who are we today as a church?
Are we like little children who have just been with the Father and are so excited and giddy over what He is doing in our lives that we can not contain ourselves? Or are we like a weary mother who just wants to finish her day?
I am sorry to say that I believe the enemy has tricked much of the American church into sleeping.
We’ve become complacent.
We’ve become bored.
We need to become these blind men, who with childlike pursuance follow Jesus and say to Him, “wake me up!”
To which Jesus will respond, “According to your faith let it be done to you!”