I apologize to Mrs Evans for copy and pasting this article. Due to the web restrictions at our school this is the only way my classes could read this content.
Six Words You Should Hear Today
“I love to watch you play.'"
According to Rachel Macy Stafford, an author and special education teacher, those six words changed the way she related to her children. Rather than praising or critiquing their performances at swim meets, recitals, and soccer games, she began pulling her children close, and simply whispering, “I love to watch you swim,” “I love to hear you sing,” “I love to hear your read,” “I love to watch you play.”
Their reaction to these words, she said, was telling:
My child's face broke into her most glorious smile -- the one that causes her eyes to scrunch up and become little slices of joy. And then she did something I didn't expect. She threw herself against me, wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, and whispered, ‘Thank you, Mama.’ And in doing so, I swear I could read her mind: The pressure's off. She loves to hear me play; that is all.
"The pressure’s off. She loves to hear me play; that is all."
Even as someone who is not yet a mother, I see the wisdom of this approach. And as my eyes scanned the article, I thought of how desperately we adults need to hear these words too, perhaps most especially from the God who identifies as our Father and who is often compared to a Mother.
What a relief it would be to know the pressure’s off. God delights in our living and breathing and working and praying and that delight is not something we have to earn by doing everything right.
God just loves to watch us play.
Too many corners of the Church have been infected with a legalistic, performance-based view of God in which God stands over our lives with crossed arms and a disappointed scowl, applauding only when we get everything just right and rendering judgment on everything we do wrong. Some pastors seem to thrive in lording this disapproving God over their parishioners. As one pastor put it: “Some of you, God hates you. Some of you, God is sick of you. God is frustrated with you. God is wearied by you. God has suffered long enough with you. He doesn’t think you’re cute. He doesn’t think it’s funny.” He then proceeds to explain how to win back God's favor.
For too many Christians, God’s unmerited favor is a one-time gift that applies exclusively to eternal security. In the meantime, God’s favor has to be earned. It has to be fought for with one flawless performance after another. The Family of God is a competitive, disciplined, performance-based family that runs on the economy of gold stars, rules and shame. God is rendered into the classic nightmare sports parent whose favor has to be earned, who is always, always, always disappointed in us.
But this is not the God we encounter in Scripture or in Christ or in the Eucharist. The God we encounter there is the God in whom we live and move and have our being, the God who rejoices over His children with signing, the God who spreads Her wings over Her children like an eagle over her chicks, the God who loved the world enough to experience all of its pain alongside of us, the God who—as Nadia Bolz-Weber puts it—“would rather die than be in the sin accounting business anymore,” the God who loves to watch us play.
God doesn’t love us because we’ve earn it. God loves us because we are God’s children. God created this world and everything in it—don’t you think God delights in it? Don’t you think God loves us at least as much as a good parent who delights in the activities of her children, regardless of whether they get everything right?
This isn’t a performance-based relationship; it’s a relationship based on unconditional love and endless delight. We can breathe a deep and long sigh of relief because the pressure’s off. We’re not here to impress or perform; we’re here to revel in God’s delight.
So hear these six words from God today:
I love to watch you play.
Or perhaps:
I love to watch you write.
I love to watch you bake.
I love to watch you nurse.
I love to watch you read to your kids at night.
I love to watch you care for the sick.
I love to watch you take pictures.
I love to watch you study.
I love to watch you laugh.
I love to watch you seek the truth even when it’s hard.
I love to watch you be the church together, even when it’s imperfect.
I love to watch you love one another, even when it seems impossible.
I love to watch you eat and drink and dance and explore and worship and pray and get out of your car to move that poor little turtle out of the road…not because you do any of these things perfectly, but because you do them as my children.
Now sink into that sigh of relief and believe this today:
Sometimes, the misconception of who God really is is what turns people away from following Him. And how do they get this misconception? They get this misconception by seeing the way that Christians act and treat them. If we serve this God, and then act like that, then that is not a God they are interested in following.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we have such a hard time believing this? It's such good news! Favorite part: "The pressure's off. God loves to watch me play. That is all."
ReplyDeleteSome unbelievers today think that God is disappointed in them because of how we as Christians act and talk to unbelievers. Some Christians can turn unbelievers away from God by the way they act.
ReplyDelete"This isn’t a performance-based relationship; it’s a relationship based on unconditional love and endless delight. We can breathe a deep and long sigh of relief because the pressure’s off. We’re not here to impress or perform; we’re here to revel in God’s delight. "
I really liked this because it makes you feel at ease and have peace knowing that God is proud of you, and still loves you because you're His child.
ReplyDeletei agree. i think it gives a sense of encouragement and helps people realize that God is with you and we shouldn't feel like we need to be under pressure all the time to get things done or receive approval from others.
DeleteThis article was very encouraging... I enjoyed reading it because it was talking about how it takes the pressure off you and that God looks at all the little and He loves you for them.
ReplyDeleteWe need to show others our love through Christ so they can get the picture of how great this God is we are serving. And by that we need to show others our love towards them even in hard situations you may have faced with that person. God loves us through every mistake our bumpy road we take in life.
ReplyDeleteThere is truth to this, but usually the first step is to figure it out ourselves.
DeleteI fully believe in what this article is saying. So many times, Christians think just because they messed up something, God will no longer love them the same. In fact, though, it is just the opposite. God loves us unconditionally, he just hates sin. If we repent after our mistakes, that not only can fully restore our relationship with God, but that will also bring God great joy to see His children come back to Him.
ReplyDeleteTrue
DeleteWe aren't here to live life. We're here to tell others the truth about Jesus. God made everyone different so we wouldn't all be the same. God loves us unconditionally, so we need to show others that as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat does this have to do with anything you read? Did you read? Do you really think God put you here not just to enjoy life, but to tell others about tell others about Jesus? Do you actually tell others about Jesus?
DeleteI don't see how anyone couldn't feel relief knowing that no matter what, God loves you and is proud of all the things you do as long as you do it in his name. God is amazing.
ReplyDeletethis was very encouraging, god will love us no matter what, he hates our actions but in the long run he will always love us.
ReplyDeleteIt's relieving to know that there is no pressure to try to impress God. He loves us unconditionally no matter how many times we fail.
ReplyDeleteyes Tyler! I agree with you completely! We should be relieved by this great news. We still should do good things but no matter what he still loves us
DeleteI totally agree with this comment Tyler. I am glad to see that someone is genuinely believes this about our God. Amen brother in Christ.
DeleteIt's quite a relief to know that when God judges us, he is doing it out of Love. When we all hear that someone loves what we are doing, it makes our day.
ReplyDeleteYes! God delights in who we are because He made us Himself.
DeleteIt is just like when a parent, punishes us. They do it out of love. God is our Heavenly Father, and everything he does is out of love for his children.
DeleteThis just takes a burden off ones shoulder. People try to work their way up to God or never feel good enough to know Him. When really, He's waiting with arms wide open to accept us and love us unconditionally.
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome to think He is waiting for us with arms wide open. It makes us feel so loved as children of God!
DeleteAs a player, this is something everybody loves to hear. There is just a great peace in knowing that the person you are trying to impress already loves the way you play. I believe it is true when it says God already loves the way we use our gifts. I believe God loves watching his children use the gifts that He has given to them. It is encouraging to know that there is always someone who loves the way I play.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, Grant! It is one of the most encouraging thing in the world to know that a friend or family member likes watching you do something, no matter what it is: basketball, football, singing, or whatever! It's great to know that God gave us these gifts, and that people actually can enjoy watching you use them for His glory!
DeleteMany of us as Christians forget that God isn't constantly standing over us and judging every little thing we do. We need to remember that God is not a mad God, but he is a forgiving God. He knows that we are not perfect, so he guides us along. He has joy in the little things that we do on a daily basis. He loves to see us as he made us, by doing what we love.
ReplyDeleteI love the point of view that you are looking at this. I think you are correct and unlike the cruel human mind, God looks at your imperfections and says, "We probably can improve on that" and then he gives you the hope and peace about your situation.
DeleteI think all of that article proves one thing: it really is encouraging for someone to know that you actually care! When someone tells you something or does something you cant just say "Ehh" and move on, but instead acknowledge what they have done! Simply saying "I love to watch you ____" just whatever it is can brighten someone's face and brighten their day! Encouragement is something that you need to be doing on a regular basis, not just something that you do every once in a while to cheer someone up!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the article is more focusing on the fact that God does not put pressure on us to impress him. It is more of the lifting of the burden, rather than the encouragement although that is good
DeleteI agree! So many of us within the Church have a view of God that portrays Him as judgmental, wrathful, and exclusive when in reality it's the opposite. There's nothing we have done to earn His love because it is unconditional. He doesn't want us to strive for perfection on His behalf, instead He desires a loving relationship with us. "The pressure’s off. She loves to hear me play; that is all."
ReplyDeletei agree, Maddy! It's such a relief to hear this and know that He loves us no matter what
DeleteThis is very true! Most people have the image that God always has his arms crossed, shaking his head. In reality, His arms are always open, ready to love you, and forgive you.
Deletei so agree, this sums up the article really well. God wants us to love and honor him AND enjoy ourselves on the journey! No expectations, just love and a desire to see us make His kingdom grow.
DeleteYou're right. Our aim shouldn't be to perfect ourselves, our aim should be to reflect Him. All he wants from us is a relationship.
DeleteIt's really refreshing to hear that it isn't up to us to earn God's approval. No matter what you do, if you do it for Him, it pleases Him. We know we can't earn God's love, but the reminder that it's always there for us is amazing.
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts Olive :) I love that you said if we do it for Him, it pleases Him. That's wonderful to think in everything we do we can do it for His glory, the one who made us!
DeleteI totally agree on how refreshing it is to hear all wonderful things. God loves us no matter what when thats hard for others to do and we have no one else we can go to him.
DeleteI thought this article was very encouraging and gave me peace as I read it. Its hard to believe that someone couldn't believe such joy. "The pressure's off. God loves to watch me play. That is all" makes me feel safe knowing he is always there.
ReplyDeletei like this celeste!
DeleteI completely agree. I think some kids are under a lot of pressure and they just need to have a sense of approval from their parents.
DeleteI loved this! Sometimes i think we forget that we don't have to do anything to win God's favor, He loves us because we are His children. God wants us to enjoy life and to stop putting pressure on ourselves to be perfect. He loves us as we are.
ReplyDeleteI agree, i dont understand why it is so hard for us to remember this truth but all we can do is keep believing that God is love and he loves us unconditionally
DeleteYou're so right, Jams! I know I try to make myself better, in order to please Him, and I forget that He already loves me more than I could ever imagine! I'm always stressed out, and I know I should just relax and stop worrying because God's in control, and knowing that He loves me so much just makes me feel so much better!
DeleteThis is an encouraging thing to read. Especially for the weary Christian. We often to much as this article says pressure ourselves to be morally sufficient in Gods eyes. And he doesn't even care he just loves to see us live for him not compete against others. Gods just wants us to realize the joy we have in him and live for him.
ReplyDeleteI agree that God wants us to realize the joy that we have in him. His joy is greater than anything that we could experience on earth. This is encouraging for those who do not feel sufficient in there parents eyes, because they are always sufficient in Gods eyes.
DeleteAfter reading this, it actually does make me feel like pressure has been lifted off of me. It's cool to think that God loves to watch us live our lives every single day. It's amazing to know how much God loves us even though we aren't perfect! His love exceeds everything else, and nobody can comprehend it!
ReplyDeletei liked this article. it helps to hear this type of encouragement it makes it feel like everything is going to be okay. i like how it talked about the children feeling like they're under so much pressure until they hear that sense of approval. over all i thought it was a nice uplifting article.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great reminder to us as Christians. Even though at times we fail God, he still loves us and loves when we enjoy what He has given us.
ReplyDeleteWe are not here to put on a show, but to give God the glory in everything we do. Even though we make mistakes, he is still proud of us because we are his children.
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ReplyDeleteThis was a very inspiring article, yes sometimes i do get carried away and think that God is just waiting for me to mess up. But that is not who God is, that is a earthly way of thinking. God is love and he loves to watch us live life, just like a parent loves to watch his or her child play sports or run around in the backyard."God loves us at least as much as a good parent who delights in the activities of her children, regardless of whether they get everything right?" God loves to watch us live out our lives and he wants us to enjoy it! But also he wants us to further his kingdom while we are here, to fulfill the Great Commission. This article gives me hope and a peace to remind me that God always loves me.
ReplyDeleteAMEN
DeleteThis is definitely something i need to remember every day. It sometimes fells like in our everyday lives we are always trying to be perfect or measure up to standards we seem to place before our selves. How awesome to know that our God just loves to see us love Him and be joyful along the way. My favorite line was "I love to watch you get out of your car to move that poor little turtle out of the road" it shows the simplicity and mercy of Gods unconditional love for us and we try to make it so complex.
ReplyDeleteI agree! It's so wonderful to know that we don't have to strive to impress God like we do with those around us a lot of times. He loves us for who we are all the time, unconditionally, and simply.
Deletethis is article is such a great reminder, how that we are forgiven by God and how he loves us. this article is very encourage!
ReplyDeleteWow James couldn't have said it better myself! I love the way you worded this. :) <3
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