Nasties or Loveables?

I know what you are thinking—what kind of wacko kids does this lady have? Before you think that my family has gone off the deep end, let me explain.

We were at a college bookstore this week and my kids happened onto a display of “plush” germs. This has to be one the of the strangest toy selections out there. Put out by a company called Giant Microbes, these tiny stuffed creatures are cute versions of real microbes. They have everything from E Coli to MRSA. And, believe it or not, they ARE sort of cute. My son is a budding scientist and when he started begging for these cute and “educational” toys, I had serious mixed feelings. Did I really want my kids playing with stuffed germs? But, on the other hand, it could be a useful teaching tool. I gave in, but encouraged them to pick “good” things (in my adult opinion) instead of germs. We came away with a white blood cell and a red blood cell. Not bad. Disaster averted.

Then, they discovered the website on the critter’s tags. I thought maybe there would be some educational games that would teach them more about their “cells.” Instead we found an on-line catalog. Now my kids are socking away their allowances to buy things like Ebola and Mad Cow disease. They are planning on acting out mass battles between the blood cells and the germs. I know, I know, my kids are a little odd sometimes— but, in a good way.

So, today in church, our pastor is talking about how God adopted us into His family. It’s a nice lesson, a sweet idea. But, then he gets into uncomfortable areas: God adopted us not because we are good and loveable, but because He chooses to love us despite our failings. He adopted us when we were His enemies. Suddenly the image of my kids and their excitement over these “adorable” but deadly germs flashed back into my mind. They LOVED the microbes regardless of what they stood for. I could tell my daughter, “Hey, Mad Cow is nasty – it attacks the brain and makes you go crazy!” But all she sees is the cute little fuzzy blob decorated with cow spots. “But Mom, I LOVE him!” she insists. All I can think is, “This killer is not worthy of your love!”

I imagine, from God’s perspective (holiness), we are even worse than E Coli and syphilis. We are more hideous than mange and athlete’s foot. We are nastier than Black Death and anthrax. But He refuses to see us that way. When He looks at us, He sees His son. He sees Jesus who came to pay the price for all of our nastiness.

So I imagine that we will be placing an order for some of these nasties pretty soon. I am going to do my best to look on these critters with my kids’ eyes. I will view them as cute, loveable, and worthy.

The way my God sees me.