Oh, So it's YOUR Birthday Now, Mommy??

For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should 

not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I remember one time... I was preparing for MiniMe's 7th birthday party I believe it was. *I* was busy making sure her Princess and the Frog birthday Party was going to be PERFECT. *I* was running around getting hard to find decorations of t

he first black Disney princess, getting equally as hard to find Princess Tiana purses as treat bags, goodies to put in these purses, making sure everything matched, that there would be enough treat bags...etc.... *I* was nervous about how many or if anyone would show up, *I* didn't want to her to be disappointed about anything on HER special day. So then it came down to picking out the cake. *I* couldn't decided on which Princess cake to get so I tell my friend on the way to the store that day.. how *I* couldn't make up my mind about the 

cake and then MiniMe chimed in from the back seat..

"That's ok Mommy, I will pick out the cake"

And in the most typical of a fussy mother's fashion I said.. What do you mean you are PICKING OUT THE CAKE??? You aren't picking out anything!! You have some money in your pockets? You have a way to pay for the cake??? *I* am the one paying for this shindig of yours and *I* will be the one to pick out the cake!! 

to which she replied in typical MiniMe fashion... 

"Oh, so its YOUR birthday now Mommy?"

*crickets*

                                                                                                                                                                                            I was reminded of this story when I saw this verse. I honestly have NO IDEA about what Im going to "do about 

Christmas" this year. I mean seriously? NO CLUE!!! Currently, I have "bigger" fish to fry as to what to do with any money I have or may get and I have been trying not to worry about it... You see how many times I said *I* in my  story above?? As parents, in our own self-centeredness, we tend to forget about the "bigger picture" in trying to make sure we are finding our kids the perfect gifts for Christmas. Running around trying to find their little Christmas requests.. Standing in long lines.. dealing with crowds.. doing the Black Friday thing.. not wanting them or anyone else to be disappointed on Christmas morning with our gifts.. 

"Oh, so its YOUR birthday now Mommy?"

My daughter told me, in that very moment, this is not YOUR day Mommy, but MINE!!

Ive got news for you, its not your birthday you are celebrating either, but Christ's!!  

For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should 

not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God so loved the World.. all of us.. the good and the bad.. the believers and non-believers.. (thank you homiletics for that one LOL).

Oh, So it's YOUR birthday now, Mommy?

HE GAVE US His only begotten son, we didn't give Him anything but our sins.. we didn't deserve it, but He did it for us anyway!! 

Oh, So it's YOUR birthday now, Mommy?

I am not going to perish for not having gifts under the tree, however ,I will perish for not believing in him, for not teaching MiniMe about God's love for us and about what Christ did for us and for not teaching her how important it is to believe in Christ in her heart, to have his love for everyone in her heart. Yes, I will be accountable for my teaching her about Christ and giving her an example of being Christlike. That is the best and only perfect gift I can ever give her!

Oh, So it's YOUR birthday now, Mommy?

Ever lasting life will not come by buying the perfect Christmas presents or filling the Christmas tree up to capacity with presents. Everlasting life will come through my belief in Christ. My walk with Christ. The love of Christ in my heart will show in me through me to my daughter. Everlasting life will come through teaching my daughter about Christ and about being Christlike and what that really means. Everlasting life will come through my faith that is THROUGH my belief in Christ, God will supply my needs and maybe.. just maybe.. if Im lucky.. some of my wants.. 

Oh, So it's YOUR birthday now, Mommy?

Christmas is not about me nor what I can put under the tree. Its not about some toys that will be forgotten about or broken within a few days. It is not about how much money I have to spend nor is it about getting someone the "perfect gift". It is about God's love for us and the perfect gift He gave us because of His love for us. His Son. Salvation. Love. Everlasting life. There is only ONE perfect gift.

And guess what?? Princess Tiana ended up laying on her side in the frosting of the cake. MiniMe didn't even notice.