The Truth is Never Sexy

So, it has been almost a year since my last post about what I would tell my son if I only had one thing to teach him in this life. I decided I would do it again.

Dear Jackson,
Let me ask you a question. If you knew something that would help the ones you loved, wife, kids, family in ways that they couldn't imagine, if you had some wisdom that could save them from heart ache and pain and from themselves, would you tell them? I hope your answer would be ABSOLUTELY! What about if you found a whole bunch of money and your family was in need, would you share it? Again, I would think your answer would be ABSOLUTELY! So what is it that I have? I have found something that I can't do myself. I have found someone that has conquered death. Now, none of us are coming out of this thing alive and I certainly find peace in knowing that after my, however many years here on earth, there is more! I have found a peace that trumps my circumstances. That is if the economy takes my money or my child gets cancer, that still there is a peace beneath the tears, beneath the pain of the moment that can flood me with reassurance that "this too shall pass". Hope. There is always hope. This is why I share about my relationship with Jesus. It isn't to "convert" anyone, it isn't to mark off another "won one for our side" box and it certainly isn't to climb some imaginary ladder to the pearly gates. The reason I have to share it is because I have something that I want everyone else I care about to have. I know something that I want everyone to know, you included. Going back to my first question, yes I share what I know to help my family, or give them the money to help provide, but it is THEIR decision whether they want what it is that I have. And it is their decision to take the money I am wanting to give them. It isn't a "popular" thing because it doesn't win awards and it doesn't flow from celebrities lips, at least not kindly. Its not praised in our magazines nor regarded as something cool. But then again, "the truth is never sexy" (Derek Webb song). What I have realized so far in life is that no matter how old we are, or where we live, people tend to resemble a scene from a children's playground. You have those around you that try so hard to keep you out of their circle. They try to make you feel less then they are, and unfortunately alot of these people sit next to us in church. My friend told me this great story that I want to pass on to you. Her little three year old son wanted to slide down a slide at the playground with some older boys and they told him, "NO! You can't play with us, you are a poopy face!!!" My friend said that she saw her son think for a minute and then get down off the slide and come over to her and ask, "Mommy, am I a poopy face?" She said he asked it really unsure about the answer and wanted to know. She obviously said, "No, you are not a poopy face." And he ran back over with all the confidence in the world and slid down the slide happily. He went for conformation to the one he trusted. How great of a life lesson! So, Jackson, when mean boys or a boss, or life in general calls you a "poopy face", know that your Father is with you saying "No! You are PRECIOUS TO ME! YOu mattered so much that I sent my son to die for you! That is what you are.", then, punch 'em in the face and run away. Ok, just kidding.
So Jackson, you won't hear about a "don't do this list" to be more "christian like", you will hear about the freedom in Him; you won't hear about how going to church every sunday equals a relationship with Jesus, you will see your father and me living out our relationship with Him. You will hear this precious gospel spoken to you because we love you so much that we can't keep it to ourselves, and hopefully you will see our hearts in our words and know, if even in the smallest part, a greater understanding of Jesus' love for you. I love you with all the love I have, and I give you all the love in the world through Him who is LOVE.
-MOM