There is a story of two young children who decided that they were going to do something nice for their mom for Mothers’ Day. They thought and thought, and finally arrived on the perfect idea. They really appreciated how their mother kept them fed with delicious food, and so they decided they were going to cook dinner. The two children used 9 pots, 2 skillets, 4 large bowls, 11 spoons, 5 measuring cups and 1 whole roll of paper towels, but when they got done – the mother said that the lime jello was absolutely delicious. We do have it on good authority that she snacked a little while she was cleaning up the dishes that night.
Sometimes this is what it looks like when we set out to do something for God. We may have the best intentions in the world, but good intentions do not guarantee good products. Sometimes we end up “gifting” God something that is pretty basic at best, and beyond that, may require Him to clean up after us.
But still, that doesn’t mean that He wants us to stop. Just like that mother cleaned up after her two children with a smile on her face, recognizing the love that was present in their “gift” to her, God appreciates our offerings to Him. Even when they don’t end up being worth much to Him. Even when they require more work of Him. He still smiles on the engagement of our souls as we set out to live into the steps of faith ahead of us.
His Son, Jesus, provided Him with the perfect gift of His life so that we could go on offering Him our imperfect gifts that require Him to clean up after us. No perfection required means that we can be His children and offer the best of our work, even if the best of what we have is lime jello and a sink full of dishes.