When John and I went to Leo’s Christmas concert last week, I was thrilled that our kindergartener sang, did most of the accompanying hand motions, and that he didn’t seem anxious about being on stage.
Leo and his classmates sang, “Children, Run Joyfully,” a German carol I had never heard. There was something moving about hearing children sing about Jesus’ birth in words that were new to me.
“Children, run joyfully, Jesus is born / Tell all the mountains to sing / Pray to our Father in Heaven this day / Thank you, for Jesus is born.”
As I watched Leo sing with his classmates, I knew he was participating even though he was not comfortable in front of the audience, and I felt tremendously proud of him.
I can’t tell you whether my son sang the right notes or words—and he assures me he was late on some of the hand motions. But he threw himself into the concert when he would rather have been anywhere else. He even did a hand motion even though he said it was silly because “it makes me look like a rabbit.”
I sat there smiling and thanking God for giving this child life—and bringing him into mine.
I also found myself thinking of how much becoming a mother has taught me about God’s love for each of us.
Many days I am like a kindergartener in a Christmas concert, saying the wrong words, trying to catch up with those around me or speeding ahead, singing too loudly or not loudly enough. Others around me have better voices, are happier on stage, or are simply superior performers. Some of them make the hard parts look so easy.
But my Father in Heaven loves me for who I am—and who he knows I can become. And He can see—I hope—that I am trying to do more with what He gave me each and every day. Some days my performances are better than others. Many days He may be the only one who sees that I have potential to grow and improve. He has faith in each of us.
After all, He entrusts us with His precious children.
Where are you finding inspiration and joy this Advent season?