We just wrapped up our third Christmas Concert of the Holiday season... only two more to go.   During tonight’s performance I noticed two sisters preparing to go on stage. One was in the wing, stage right, the other stage left. One was joyfully standing by smiling, the other's face held tension and anxiety.  Now I don’t know these girls well, but I have come to expect a consistent joyful disposition from the first sister, and a more stand-offish and contemplative countenance from the other.

As they came on stage, both of them had a smile displayed for the audience to see, but I had seen their natures shine consistently before they hit the limelight, center-stage. And I thought about a funny little thing my three year old said to me at lunch today. He looked across the table, over his peanut butter and jelly sandwich and said, “Mommy, I’m getting used to you.”

How do you respond to that? So I just nodded and laughed in my heart. After a few more nibbles he asked me, “What does ‘used to’ mean?” This time I laughed aloud and said, “It means you’re familiar with something. You know something or someone very well, and they don’t surprise you. You know what to expect.” He nodded and said again, “Mommy, I’m getting used to you.”  

Tonight as I watched those two sisters, stage left and stage right, two different ends of the spectrum in so many regards, I realized that I had gotten used to their different personalities as well. And I wondered, “What has Asher grown used to?” My patient loving care? My joyful expression as I delight in him? Or has he grown to expect my familiar, disgruntled nagging and exasperated sighs?  Short tuck-ins after long days, or the long-suffered tenderness my children deserve?  What are they used to seeing and experiencing in me?  What have they come to expect?  

And if it's the later Mommy, the wearied and discontent one, always lurking in the shadows off stage left, I pray that God would do a work in me.  I promise to give Him all the praise and glory and thanks as I continue to be transformed into His image.  Yes, it's true, I'm not perfect.   And so this transforming love from God is the thing I most want my children to get used to seeing displayed in their Father and in me.  

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12:2)

We could all get used to a bit more of that.  Couldn't we?