My Best is Enough For God!

In my Bible I keep an old Christmas card that my niece Stasia made for me when she was seven. To everyone else it is just a card written by a small child, but to me it’s a treasure I like to read over and over again. She wrote ‘To Aunty Sussie (she meant Susie) I mist you so so so so so so so much. XoXo. From Stasia.’

At the time she wrote the card I hadn’t been home for more than six months, and she was excited that I would be coming home for Christmas. On the left hand side of the card she’d drawn the manger scene, which included a ‘wonky’ looking donkey, a ‘tailless’ lamb and a smiling ‘cammel’. Each illustration was labelled so there would be no misunderstanding concerning what she’d drawn. The angel Gabriel was waving hello from above the stable, one of the wise men was wearing a top hat, and baby Jesus looked a little stunned. I guess that’s quite understandable when you look at all that was happening around him – my niece’s interpretation of Christmas! I love this card because she made it especially for me and she unashamedly told me so. ‘It took me a long time Aunty Susie’, she explained and I whole-heartedly believed her. It’s unlikely to make its way on to the wall of any great art gallery, but it certainly made its way into my heart, and that little girl knows it. I received the card with as much enthusiasm as she gave it and it will remain precious to me.

It makes me wonder about God and my relationship with him. Is it possible that my small and sometimes faltering attempts to please Him actually captivate His heart as well? ‘You did that for me’, He exclaims with delight, as He holds each of us close to His chest. ‘I saw your desire to bless, and even though it didn’t work out exactly how you’d hoped, it was such a precious gift you gave.’

Sometimes we’re guilty of thinking that God’s a ruthless perfectionist who’s impossible to please, and that’s such a destructive belief to have. I used to think that once, and it drained me of my courage. I know better now and it’s made all the difference. Our best is enough for God, and even in our immaturity and inexperience we still please and bring delight to the heart of our Heavenly Father.

Prayer: Father God, You delight in me, You delight in me, You delight in me, You delight in me! That truth thrills me. Thank You that my best is good enough for You. Please remind me of that fact on the days that I forget. Amen.