Super Hero

"So, who is your super hero?",

I asked my son in light of a speech he has to make. 

Without hesitating he said: 

"Jesus".

"Okay, yes, but how about Hulk or Superman? You love Superman!" I replied, thinking that it is going to be soooo cliché to talk about Jesus being your super hero at a christian school.

"No mom, it's JESUS", He replied, boldly.

His body language and the resolute look in his eyes was adding the words: "what is wrong with you, mom? How can it ever be anyone else!"

And right there, the Holy Spirit made me aware of my way-uncool mom intentions. I was more interested in what the teacher and his classmates were going to think, more concerned over my child's "image" at school than his own beautiful conviction; more concerned for others than for my own child! Talk about terrible mothering, eek!

It astounds me how I can blow it in even the simple things. And often!

Here I had a grand opportunity to praise and encourage my son's conviction to be unashamed about Jesus... (!!), but instead...

I hang my head in shame, as I, once again, need to ask forgiveness and recognize the waywardness in my own heart. This is possibly the greatest surprise of motherhood: realizing I am not as perfect as I thought I was. Realizing I actually cannot do it. I am not mega-momtastic, no I desperately need the Holy Spirit!

Of one thing I am quite certain, as certain as my son is about Jesus being his Super Hero: I too, need Jesus, not only to save me from hell but to help me live! - to save me from my own oh-so-wrong-but-carefully-hidden intentions and actions.

Dr. Lloyd Jones writes: The Holy Spirit goes about doing what we call a sanctifying work or a transforming work in our lives. He works within me and shows me sin and evil that I have never imagined, giving me power and understanding. This is the regular (daily) work of the Holy Spirit- to bring about gradual transformation in my life and deliverance from the power and pollution of sin.

Wow!

How grateful am I for the gift God gave me: His Ever-Presence through the Holy Spirit.

So, who is MY Super hero?

No doubt about it, it cannot be anyone else BUT JESUS! He made the way to the Father and through Him, I receive the Holy Spirit. He died; rose and overcame ALL my sin and shame (even this silly, stupid, shameful mommy act). He is the very breath I breathe. He gives me the courage and power to live large, and even when I miss it, He makes a way for His redemption story to take a hold of my life, allowing His love to cover a multitude of wrong.

Many super heroes can save you from some seriously bad dude... but how many can save you from yourself?!

ONLY JESUS