I love moments in the morning when my kiddo wants to snuggle. He is always on the go, so the rare moments when he wants to climb into my lap, laying his head on my shoulder are precious. And I realize that they will only get few and far between as he grows.
This morning was one of those beautiful moments. My almost-3 year old son snuggling up in my arms, gently rotating my bracelet and rings. He loves to play with my jewelry.
Today, he was watching the diamonds on my engagement ring and wedding band set shimmer as he moved them in circles around my ring finger. I was soaking in the moment when he finally spoke.
Mommy? Where did you get your rings?
From Daddy.
But why?
Well, Daddy and Mommy love each other. And Daddy loves Mommy SO MUCH that he gave me beautiful rings to say, I Love You!
Oh. I’ll be right back.
John 3:16 Love
I watched as my growing boy climbed down and zoomed to his playroom, because at this age there is no casual movement. It’s run or nothing.
He came back and sat down next to me on the couch with one arm behind his back. The next thing I hear is, “Hold out your hand, Momma.”
Going along with this, I stuck out my right hand. He opened his hand to show me his favorite ring, a plastic cupcake topper from 2017’s Super Bowl Patriots win.
Mommy, I want you to wear it because I love you SO MUCH!
My heart melted and I wrapped my arms around him in a giant hug! My sweet boy was giving me something that is precious to him because he loves me!
Just like his Daddy did for me 14 years ago.
And just like God did for us. John 3:16 Love!
God gave up something more precious than a plastic Patriots ring and more valuable than diamonds and gold. He gave us Jesus.
Without Jesus becoming a man, living among us on earth, dying a death He did not deserve to take our sins upon Himself, and coming back to life, we would have no hope of eternal life in Heaven. The wrong things we do and think don’t belong next to a perfect God. We don’t deserve Heaven and can’t force our way in with acting good or giving well or going to church.
We need Jesus.
And because we are SO LOVED, Jesus already paid the “admission” price with His own life.
When my husband proposed to me (and -oh boy!- it is a story and a half!) we weren’t engaged just by him asking me to marry him. We weren’t engaged when he showed me the beautiful ring either. We became engaged the moment I accepted his proposal and said, Yes!
And that’s really what it takes to get to Heaven. Some people and religions will tell you otherwise. They will tell you how to get into Heaven in your own power. But how can imperfect people make themselves perfect to enter a perfect Heaven? We can’t.
Instead, God showed us that He loves us SO MUCH that even though we aren’t perfect, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). It takes accepting that love and believing it as truth, and choosing to answer His “proposal” with Yes!
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9, ESV).
This is life (and future!) changing news to celebrate!
As I thought this over, it brought a new perspective and gratitude for when I look down at my gold AND newly acquired plastic rings.
To learn more about what it means to be a Christ-follower or to ask any questions you might have, feel free to comment below or send me an email at sarah@sincerelyanchored.com. I would “SO LOVE” to talk with you more!
Ok you had me at “Patriots Rings” …I am a HUGE Pats fan so I loved this post!!! How adorable!!!
haha Yes! Patriots fans unite 🙂
Oh, my heart!! This is so sweet <3
Thanks so much!
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful story! You’re raising such an amazing boy- what a big heart!
He really is a sweetheart
Cute. I was wondering what a Patriot ring was at first. But I get it now.
We’re big New England Patriots fans in this home 🙂
My heart completely melted when he rushed to give you a ring!! What a beautiful story! 🙂
Isn’t that the cutest? He’s definitely a handful, but moments like that make all the tough times disappear haha