Getting embarassed by your Father

Two weeks ago at Christ Church we had our eleventh annual Christmas Cantata.  This year marks either the fifth or sixth year (I have no idea which) that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the production.  Of all the years the message of this program resonated with me the most, because I think it had the most application to life in general, and not just Christmas.  The theme was that we only have three gifts that are acceptable to give to God: our lives surrendered, our hearts made tender by His love, and our praise for all that He is and has done.

            However, after two weeks of thinking about it, it is not this theme that has most deeply penetrated my mind and heart.  Instead it was a moment right after the first “show” involving Pastor David Janz.  He was thanking the people who made the production possible, then paused and said, “For this old trombone player, the best part of this cantata and biggest thank you I have is that I got to share it with my daughter, Katie.”  This sentimental moment drew all of the requisite and appropriate ooh’s and ahh’s from the crowd (as well as the glares and embarrassment from the aforementioned daughter). 

That moment of fatherly pride has wedged itself into my brain and stayed there, because it was a model of our heavenly Father.  That night I could feel Him saying, “My greatest enjoyment from this show was the chance to share in it with you, Jonathan Smith, my son.  Thank you for making this Director very happy.”  He wasn’t just saying that to me, He simultaneously said it, by name, to David and Katie Janz, Sam Wagner, and every other member of the choir, orchestra, and audience.  After all, He is God and can talk to as many people simultaneously as He pleases.

Whenever you do something in your life that brings God praise, credit, or awareness from others and/or yourself He does the same thing as Pastor Dave, “I am so proud to share this moment with my child.  I love her (him) more than words can say.  Thank you for making me a part of your life!”

Receiving love and acknowledgment from the Maker or Everything makes me react the same way as Katie: complete, bashful embarrassment at the recognition.  God can even handle the glares.

Merry Christmas!