All Things

She calls me Miss Gina.
Before she decided on that name, I was the lady with the red lips.
She always gives me that little wave, the one when her hand is close to her face.
The wave that only I can see.

She came to mind when I found the magnets that used to be on our refrigerator.
The magnets that won’t stick any more since we got a stainless steel model.
Some of the old magnets my daughter brought back to college for her dorm room.
One magnet, that was a favorite of hers, went to my little friend.

It is a teddy bear with a red heart in the center.
Nothing special.
You would pass right over it in the store.
Yet to my daughter and to my little friend, it was simply wonderful.

I had not seen her for a few weeks at church.
It is the time of year for colds and viruses.
I had the bear magnet in a little bag waiting to give it to her.
One week, I looked across the church and saw her sitting next to her mom.

I walked over before church began and handed the bag to her.
She looked down at the bear magnet the same expression that I remember so well.
There is something about a teddy bear.
There is something even more special about a teddy bear with a big red heart.

Her reaction was priceless.
I knew she was the perfect recipient of the magnet.
The passing of the baton: the bear to the girl.
It was the right thing to do.

I saw my little friend last week.
As in most conversations with children, you seek common ground.
You talk about school or favorite toys and you let them direct the conversation.
I guessed that she loved to draw.

I do, she said with a dimpled smile.
Well, I would love if you would draw a picture for me.
Her face lit up and the smile widened.
What do you want me to draw?

I could see that she was waiting for my answer.
I brainstormed ideas.
Since it is winter, how about a snow scene with a snowman?
Or since Christmas is coming, how about a Christmas tree with presents?

You decide, I said as I looked over her head at her mother.
I could see the wheels turning.
I could see the ideas beginning to form.
I know without a doubt I will have a picture from my little friend.

I walked away wondering when it happens.
When does a child begin to doubt their ability?
When does, Oh, I can do that, become I can’t draw!
When does, Do you want me to sing a song for you? become, I can’t sing!

When does the shift occur?
It is sad when that happens.
The I can attitude becomes I’m not good enough!
Who says?

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

I can do everything!
That is not arrogance.
That is fact.
That is truth.

Everything THROUGH Him.
That’s the catch.
That’s the one condition.
In Christ all things are possible.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

There are different kinds of gifts.
One is not better than the other.
They are all divinely given for the common good.
They are given for the building up of the people of God.

To say, I can’t, is dishonoring to the Lord.
If we are in Christ, all things are possible.
Talents and abilities are not for our own fame and fortune.
They are Kingdom gifts, to be used for His Glory to build up His people.

How can we encourage our children and each other to have a “can do” attitude?
A “can do” attitude in all things.
I can draw; I can sing; I can write; I can serve in Your name.
In Your name and for Your glory.

That changes things a bit.
We do things for Him alone as excellent as we can.
Doing things excellently does not mean doing things perfectly.
God alone is perfect.

The person who sings off key in church.
The artist whose picture is unrecognizable.
The writer who has not quite mastered grammar and spelling.
If the heart belongs to Him and is poured into the attempt, He is pleased.

He is more than pleased.
He is delighted.
It is the heart of the giver that He cares about.
That pure heart guarantees that the gift being used and given is perfect to Him.

Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)
Blessed indeed.
Blessed are we who are the recipients of such a gift.
Gifts that He gave to us so we can give them back to Him.

You can do all things.
You really can!