It’s been a LOOOOOOOOONG time since I’ve pulled a 12-hour shopping spree and I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever even come close with a baby in tow.  But today Jackson, his Grandma Liz and I did just that.  Dare I say I got all of our Christmas shopping done?  The even more surprising thing…Jackson was a complete angel.  Not once with only a 20 minute power nap between malls…not one single time did he cry, get agitated, get cranky or even raise his voice in discontent!   It’s safe to say God was working in that little boy today…even when his diaper leaked and he was soaking wet near the end of our trek! 

With all that we accomplished today buying gifts for our loved ones we so enjoyed having Jackson with us.  To think a 1-year-old would enjoy himself with 2 ladies crazy enough to tackle 2 malls and countless other stores with a baby without a decent nap, late meals and soggy britches.  But he said “Hello” in the cutest little voice to nearly everyone his stroller came near to and nearly everyone was simply taken with him engaging in joyful conversation.  He’s just so sweet!  Clearly I’m proud of our little guy…but nearly nothing about him has anything to do with us…and everything to do with God. 

Jackson’s behavior today was astounding.  To think…little baby Jesus…when he was born…as He grew…He was a perfect, sinless child.  Jackson…he can be quite the stinker…literally and figuratively.  Today was such a tiny little miniscule taste of what it must have felt like to be Mary.  Not much at all about Him had anything to do with her…but everything to do with God.  I can’t even begin to imagine raising, teaching, caring for my Savior as His mother.  God chose her…created her…for such an amazing responsibility and purpose.  To think…He was perfect…never once disobeying!  He set the bar unattainably high for his half brothers and sisters!  I was elated (and quite shocked!) with 12 hours of good behavior…imagine how Mary felt with 33 years of perfect behavior!   Until tomorrow my friends…I am officially ready to drop!

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.   Hebrews 4:15-16