G.I. Joes and Jesus

There were three of us kids in my family - two boys and a girl. I was sandwiched between the two boys, and of course, outnumbered. Because of this, I often played with them and did what they were doing. If it was football in our yard, I put my "tough girl jersey" on and was there. If they were building forts in the woods in our backyard, I had a hammer and nails in my hands as well. And if they were playing G.I. Joes, I guarantee you that I wanted my share of Joes and jeeps. These are all fond memories.

I have a six-year old son. As we were deciding what to buy him for Christmas, a dear friend who has three boys suggested G.I. Joes. OF COURSE!!! Why hadn't I thought about that before?!?! After all, they have re-released the G.I. Joes of past for the 25th anniversary. And what timing indeed! I began a search online and then took multiple trips to the Toys R Us, Target, Wal-Mart. I wanted to plan out our purchases carefully. The planning took some time, and after about a month of looking, thinking, and dreaming, we began purchasing. I purchased a couple of guys, but let my husband make the bigger purchases last Saturday. And when he returned from shopping, I was like a kid at Christmas - I couldn't wait to see what he picked out. Call me crazy, but I'm so excited to introduce G.I. Joe to my son. I think he will love playing with them. I just hope I can wait until Christmas!

My enthusiasm in choosing and giving gifts to my children is a small reminder of God's enthusiastic love for His children - wanting to give them good gifts.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

-Matthew 7:7-11

This is not an invitation to a comfortable life with all the stuff that we think we need. This is an invitation to become more like Jesus. These verses are taken from a section of scripture where Jesus is instructing His disciples on what it takes to follow Him. He's referring to gifts such as sacrificial love, obedience, purity, humility, righteousness, etc. We simply just need to ask and seek after these gifts, or attributes, that we desire to have. God is waiting patiently to bless us with these beautiful gifts. Can you imagine?

So what are you asking for this Christmas? Is it righteousness? How about sacrificial love? Or humility? My Christmas wish list is filled with stuff - things that I would like to have, things that won't last. My son's G.I. Joes won't last or bring him true joy. But God longs to bless us with lasting gifts that help us become more like Jesus, giving us genuine joy. Let's give Him the gift of letting Him do just that.