Parent: "So, how was your day?"
Kid: "Good."
Now, what's the next question? In America, studies show that most of the time, it's "Did you have fun?". In Japan, it's "What did you learn?". And this invites a host of commentary on cultures and their values. Interesting.
What's MY question? I'll be honest: "Who did you play with?". Because this mother is 30 years old and still measures her worth and general success in life by who she knows and what they think of her.
The answer: "no one."
Everyday.
And it hits me like a ton of bricks. Everyday.
But Andy, he doesn't say this with tears, anger, or even disappointment. Because as it turns out, I've been given a son who couldn't care less about who he knows and what they think of him. During recess, he's Ironman, on a mission to get the bad guys. If other kids want to join him in his valiant efforts, great. If not, it's his duty to protect them himself.
And I worry because I think he'll become isolated. I think he'll get ridiculed. I think he'll be sad. And my fear stems from the fact that my measure of worth is completely wrapped up in my relationships.
I fear he'll think he's worthless.
"Oh!" he says, "I talked to two kids about Jesus today."
"You did?! That's great! What did you say?"
He goes on to tell me about how he remembered being told that his mission at school was to shine the light of Jesus. So he simply asked a couple of kids if they believed in God. Both said yes, but later in the conversation, flip-flopped and replaced the truth with made-up stories about how the universe came about. One said Jesus is make-believe.
I told Andy that he did a great job, and definitely accomplished his mission that day. I suggested that when God opens up another opportunity, he follow up with the kids and ask who they think Jesus is.
Because ultimately, if the great question of worth is, "who do you know?", "Jesus" is the only answer that means anything at all.
So here is my boy- reminding me that we believers are ALWAYS on a mission. The same mission that Paul was on:
"For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." - 2 Corinthians 2:2-5
Paul did not determine to know the popular people and be known by them. He didn't determine to be everyone's friend. He didn't determine to gather all the knowledge he possibly could. He didn't determine to seek out every possibility of fun that might exist.
He determined to know Christ. And by knowing Christ alone, he became a vessel through which the Spirit's power worked mightily...so that MY faith now rests on the power of God.
This boy is on a mission, is he not?
Will he be lonely? Sad? Ridiculed? Maybe. As Paul was fearful and trembled, my Andy may as well. But if he remembers WHO he knows and what HE thinks of him, he will become the unstoppable force for good that he marches around pretending to be.
Because the Unstoppable Good lives in him that believes. And loves him. And sings over him.
And died for him.
I'm going to stop asking Andy why he doesn't play with anyone at recess. Instead, when he gets home today, I'll ask him how the Mission went.
