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| You're Welcome, Dad... |
So, it wasn't a surprise when I saw how terrible our boys' room was. Noah and Jackson hadn't really been cleaning. The floor was completely covered with clothing--dirty and clean tossed indiscriminately around the room.
Toys, DVDs, books, and other flotsam and jetsam (not Ursula's hench-eels) were strewn about the room. I told my boys to clean up their room. Wii was off-limit my s until such time as this massive task was completed.
Hours passed. I assumed that the room was clean and failed to do the proper inspection.
Later that evening I entered their room to put our youngest, Jackson, to bed.
As I feasted my eyes upon the complete disaster that still remained before me, my son smirked with confidence.
In my head my fatherly anger began to burn. I asked myself if I was dreaming telling them to clean up the room. I wondered as my eyes darted to and fro amongst the landscape of ruin in their room if even one thing was cleaned up.
Jackson, however, being the over-confident six year old that he is, took my shock and awe in a different way.
The shocked look on my face gave way to a "Jackson, YOUR ROOM!"
This statement was meant to convey my horror.
Thinking I was impressed with their cleaning skills, Jackson beamed with pride and said confidently, "You're welcome, Dad."
You're. Welcome. Dad.
For a room that was just as disastrous as before the alleged clean up.
I quickly informed Jackson that he and his brother would have to clean this room again and that I was not in any way thanking him.
They were both puzzled the next day when Operation Clean-up Version 2.0 commenced. I had to give them additional direction and they obediently spent hours cleaning up.
This time it was a success and the Wii was enjoyed by all.
Colossians 3:23-24
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
It was no mistake, then, the very next Sunday when I was preparing to deliver the story at our Kindergarten to 5th Grade Large Group at church, that I read Colossians 3. I realized that like Jackson, so many times we smile with confidence to Christ and say "You're Welcome." when in fact, we should be cringing in fear.
The Bible bids us to come to the throne of Jesus with confidence, but it doesn't mean this kind.
We need to work at EVERYTHING we do as if working for the LORD. That includes BOTH the effort we put forth AND the attitude we have internally about doing it.
We need to resist the temptation to exalt in mediocrity and always strive for better. Under grace we may be but JESUS demands our very best EVERY TIME.
Let's not rest in our own strength or lull ourselves to complacency under the shadow of grace. Let our service reflect our worship to Him.
