March 17, 2011
Sistas,
“MOTHER WILL YOU PLEASE SPEAK TO YOUR DAUGHTER ABOUT STEALING?!” Sure Grace. Which daughter? Sticky Fingers Lauren or 5 Finger Discount Emily? Or is this a confession, and you really want me to talk to YOU about stealing? Turns out Lauren stole 2 pieces of Grace’s gum out of her book bag. I put the squeeze on Lauren until she cracked. She confessed and asked Grace to forgive her. But Emily wanted a piece of the action, and she started chanting “Oohhh, Lauren’s in trouble! Lauren’s in trouble!” Really, it’s just gum!
So I wondered to myself, which of these sinful girls is my favorite daughter? Do I have a favorite? Yes.
Grace. My Gorgeous. My favorite from the second I saw the positive pregnancy test and I knew God wanted this baby to be named Grace. She has filled my heart with her critters, posters of Hilary Duff, secret crush on Justin, turtle eggs, crafts, lemonade stands, cart wheels, Red Blankie, straight A’s, Chava, Fleetwood Mac, the Wiggles, rescuing injured birds, habitats, her pale birthmark, moving her furniture all by herself at least 2 times a year, and hula hoops. She is my fave because of so many school projects, she just signed up to be a cheerleader (T-I-T-A-N-S!), “love ya,” and because she just cannot take a quick shower to save her life. Oh, but she is a sinner. She tattles.
Lauren. My Lovely. My favorite from the second I saw the positive pregnancy test and I knew God had something incredible in store for me. She has swelled my heart with peanut butter and Cheerio sandwiches, flip flops, my littlest baby, tallest kid in her class, excitement over learning, Kitty Sunday, picking flowers, hand-me-downs, Leprechaun trap, her fashion sense, her scar and mole, and “lovin’ you!” She is my fave because of too many nights in hospitals, the angels who caught her, the way her eyes squint up when she smiles, she still sleeps with her Mommie blanket, and that dance with the hands and hips and kicks and snaps! Oh, but she is a sinner. She steals.
Emily. My Enchanting. My favorite from the second I saw the positive pregnancy test and wondered how in the world is this possible?! She has surprised my heart with Eskimos and Eyeballs, those lips and that hair, her sneakiness, her independence, hide-and-seek, light up sneakers, baby doll strollers, timing her hand washing with the ABC’s, singing songs in the car, her “frectal” (freckle) on her foot, my biggest baby, “I am not a baby! I am 3!” She is my fave because of so many predicaments, because it’s just wrong if Blankey isn’t just a certain direction, and “no, no no, I LUB YOU!” Oh, but she is a sinner. She stirs the pot.
Sinners or not, Mommie-hood is worth it for all 3 of them, and it would be worth it for just one of them.
I think that is how God feels about me. I think I am His fave! I think He would do it all for me.
I think all the suffering, the Via Dolorosa, Golgotha, the tomb, all of it was worth it for my sake, though I wish it hadn’t been necessary.
He was accused for me, but He doesn’t blame me. “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight, in love,” Ephesians 1:4. He was beaten mercilessly, and He still manages to carry the cross for me. “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens,” Psalm 68:19. His hands were nailed to the cross, but He still touches me with His perfect healing. “At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them,” Luke 4:40. His feet were nailed together, but He still is able to walk to where I am hiding in my shameful pits and caves. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence'” Psalm 139:7. He was crowned with thorns with blood streaming down into His eyes, but He still sees me white as snow. “Come now, let us settle the matter. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow,” Isaiah 1:18. He was offered the vinegar to quench His thirst, but He still speaks so sweetly to me. “His mouth is sweetness itself; He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, this is my friend,” Song of Solomon 5:16. His side was pierced as blood and water drained from His body, but He still has enough of Himself to fill me. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,” Romans 15:13.
So really Grace, just forgive Lauren. It’s not like she was blaspheming your God by claiming to be the Messiah. It’s just gum. And really Lauren, just own up. It’s not like Grace was nailing you to the cross for the sins of the world. It’s just gum. And really Emily, why are you even in this conversation? You aren’t even allowed to have gum!

Treasure Seeker,
Sandie