Well, it is nearly the end of a whirlwind month! May is always an extremely busy time for our family as we wrap up school, Scouts, and a few other things. Middle Biscuit turned 13 a few days ago... I now officially have two teenagers! How did that happen so fast?
We didn't get to celebrate with him on his actual birthday, because we are on a school trip. For the last two years, our school has attended the International Student Convention hosted by ACE, which is the curriculum program we use in our school. So, every year at this time, we prepare to attend this major event.
This year, we have First-Born with us, and two other school students. They have competed in events ranging from chess to table tennis to music performances. It is a very fun, although tiring week!
Confession time: when Hubby told me several years ago that one of his goals for our school was to attend Regional Student Convention, and then Internationals, I admit I was reluctant. (Read: whiny.) It was too much work; too much money; not enough time; encouraged bad attitudes; I had a million excuses. But he was persistent ( no surprise there!) and so I finally caved and said we could work on it. Five years later, here I am, 5 Junior Conventions, 4 Regionals, and 3 Internationals under my belt. It is work. It is tiring. We do have to be apart from the younger kids. But he was right; it's totally worth it. (Shhh...don't tell him I said that!!)
Because it's about more than the competitions. It's about more than the new experiences. It's about more than the fun and games and new friends. It's really about getting away from the comfortable box you've been in. It's about being away from other influences that distract you. It's about the time every night that God speaks and moves in the hearts of the people sitting under the sound of His Word. Which brings me to my title...crops or the Cross?
The speaker last night spoke about Cain and Abel. Everyone knows the story. Cain brought an offering; Abel brought an offering. God accepted Abel's offering; Cain grew angry and killed Abel. But he brought out an application that really spoke to me.
You see, what Cain brought was the sum of his efforts. His sweat and hard work. "Look what I have brought. I worked so hard for You. I did my best." It was beautiful. It was fragrant. It was his.
Abel brought what he was asked. What hurt him. He loved these little lambs. His sacrifice was messy. It was bloody. It was hard.
Cain brought crops. Abel pictured the Cross. And it made me think.
What am I bringing? During the message, raising kids came to my mind. Am I raising "crops" that will reflect my hard work and effort? Am I working to make them good, and helpful, and nice so I can say "There's my hard work. Look what I worked hard to raise."
Or am I raising up the Cross? Am I being a reflection of God's grace and mercy? Am teaching and training, not so it is a testament to my effort, but so that it a testimony of God's love shining out? Am I offering a picture of the Cross to those around me?
So, maybe take a minute and ask yourself the same question I did: crops or the Cross? And really stop to listen to God's answer. He wants our sacrifices, but He wants them the right way. Not our own efforts and struggle. He wants our trust and rest in Him. He wants to see the Cross, not our crops. :)
