Lessons from an 8 year old {Be Encouraged with Kristina}

“Kristina….she wants the best horse or the best doll but I want them both! I know I should let her have them..but I don’t WANT to share….what do I do?!”

This question was asked to me while I was working the other day. The girl I babysit had a friend over to play and was realizing how hard it can be to share. After a short discussion she decided to let her friend have the best horse and this little problem was soon forgotten as the friends went back to their playing.

At the time I didn’t think much of this little conversation…but as I was reading the other day this conversation popped into my mind again. I was reading The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer and Tozer was talking about how our focus gets off target and we focus on pleasing ourselves rather than saying “Be thou exalted, Lord”. As I read and remembered my conversation with my dearest darling, I realized that this very problem is exactly what my darling was struggling to accept…she wanted the best toys because that was what would cause her the most pleasure, but deep down she knew that what was right was to give up enjoying “the best” for something much more important – honoring and glorifying the Lord through sharing with her friend.

Now, I do not think that my 8 year old friend could articulate all of that to you (even though she is VERY articulate) but it stood out to me as such a simple and yet profound illustration for something that each of us encounter on a day to day basis.! For me it really is a daily struggle to set aside what I want, my “best” and say, “Lord, Be thou exalted. Whatever that looks like for today and whatever that means in my life…Be thou exalted” I have found that when I do set my focus rightly on honoring the Lord first, that my wants and my “bests” aren’t really as important as I first thought they were. Each of us has a choice everyday weather or not we are going to focus on ourselves or set our focus on the Lord. I pray that you will strive to, with me, say “Be thou exalted.” and leave the rest in the Lords hand.

I love you all, Kristina