A Birthday Lesson

Several afternoons last week, my two daughters disappeared into the playroom. I was forbidden to enter as they crafted decorations for the dining room in honor of my birthday on Thursday. They were as excited as if it had been their own celebration, with my eight-year-old exclaiming several times, "Mom, this is going to be your best birthday ever!"

That morning, homemade cards and confetti littered the table, along with a scrapbook my ten-year-old created using some of her favorite photos.


The time they took to form plans, the work that went into making each item, and the desire they had to please me was worth far more than any gift they could have purchased.

While I'd heard similar sentiments from my own parents when I was growing up, I often just thought they were being nice. Now I know they spoke the truth.


That's the way things are when our relationships are at their best. A generous act is done with no thought of repayment, only of the other person's enjoyment.


It's true with spouses, with parents, with children - with God.


May the lesson sink deep into my heart. As my children pleased me beyond belief, so may I seek to do those things that please God - not to earn His love, which I already have beyond measure, but to show the depths of my love for Him.