No Frills- Be Real- This Christmas!

God showed me more of Himself, while my four year old daughter bowed her head to pray…. My daughter and I set out to conquer the last few people on our Christmas list.  Because of the busyness of the morning, I realized we didn’t eat breakfast, so… we barely got started shopping and she began to ask if we could eat at her forever favorite restaurant, “Fwazoli’s”.  I told her we could in a bit, and in her squeals of jubilation, she began the ping pong game of- are we going now?  What about now? Is it time now?   She may be little, but that child can eat like a grown man! 

Two or three stores later, it was finally lunchtime- and off we went to the most glorious of all restaurants, the place that, in my child’s mind- is a land flowing with fettuccini and breadsticks, “FWAZOLI’S!”  We sat down to pray before we ate and she prayed this sweet little prayer…

“Dear God,
Thank you for my “Fwettachni” and Momma’s “Sketti” and all our breadsticks.  Thank you for Nana and Papa and all the stars and the moons in the sky. And thank you Jesus for all the people!  Amen.”

Her prayer was not profound, yet absolutely precious because she truly meant it. She was simply thankful for her food and all the people in her life. God reminded me of the story of Elijah waiting to hear from God.  He thought God was speaking in the earthquake, then in the fire, but He spoke through a gentle whisper. (I Kings 19:12)

Even Christ’s birth was not what people expected.  Mary and Joseph were simple, yet humble people, obedient to what God wanted for their lives.  No frills, no big gestures or promises that would never be kept, but a genuine entry that proved that Jesus is for everyone who receives.  He humbled himself and was born in a lowly manger to become obedient to death on a cross.  Not what most would think of as very kingly, but God doesn’t look at the exterior, but at the heart of the situation. 

As my daughter was praying, He reminded me that it isn’t about “theology” or the way that we pray that pleases God; He simply wants us to be humble and pray from our hearts.  Jesus isn’t impressed with our righteousness or profound words.  Jesus is pleased when He sees genuine faith and gratitude.

This Christmas, let’s pray with a simple heart, and come adore the KING of KINGS and the LORD of LORDS.  Behold HIS humility and genuine love- know that it isn’t about the frills and thrills, it is about being real with our Creator.  He is enough.

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