God's Team

​I moved from a small country farm in Oxford to a subdivision with houses that seemed so close you could touch them, if you reached out your bathroom window. I loved the farm life. I did not love the city life. I was the little elementary girl that loved to play house and still enjoyed getting dolls as gifts. I was not athletic, but I didn't care. Until Jr High. My first day of gym class at a huge, city school with the teacher telling two very athletic boys to pick teams. Scrawny Charisse waited and waited and waited until I was one of the last ones picked. That was not a good feeling and it fueled my determination to try to be more athletic and tough. Forty years later and I'm still not athletic or tough (Don't even get me started on dodge ball). I still love "playing" house and I love taking care of babies. And that's ok, because that's how my God made me. Aren't you thankful that our Heavenly Father didn't look down from heaven that first Christmas morning and say~"I'm going to send my Son to be born in a manger and to die for people's sins, but only for the people I choose for my team." No, He looked down in love, SO MUCH LOVE, and said "I want the whole world on my team" Not only that, but He allows all of us, despite our shortcomings and failures, to choose to be on His team with Him. To choose to be on THE KING'S team! Knowing all that, why do we as ladies still pick teams? Why do we think it's ok to be loving and giving with some people, but only the ones we choose? Why do we think it's ok to talk down about each other with each other? To leave someone out, to shun or ridicule? Certainly that's not what Christ did. Every bitter thought, every evil deed and yet He loved us still. I know it isn't easy. I know there are people that hurt us, that wrong us and even people that are downright mean. But God loves them all just as much as He loves us and if we are honest we will see that we ourselves don't treat Christ the best. We have hurt Him and wronged Him, we have even been mean, and yet He loves us. So much, He chose to be born in a manger to die for us. This Christmas choose the love of Christ. Ask Him for the love of others that only He can give. The heart of our Savior should fuel our determination to spread the love of Christ this Christmas and every day of the New Year.