Get Your Tambourine

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

Several months ago, my family went on a quick five-day getaway to Myrtle Beach. It was pure sunshine and smiles until one morning, we woke to rain. So, we loaded the kids in the car and drove them to an indoor play venue with endless stations to dress up, play dentist, go on rocket ships, and get wildly lost in our imaginations. Even my husband and I were having a blast.

My daughter found the music station and immediately picked up a tambourine. At the top of her lungs, she began to sing, “Jesus loves me this I know…” My heart was so proud! And then, my heart sank… we are in public—she is singing Christian songs out loud—I should tell her to stop singing.

In her world of worship, she had no idea that I was having a war of thoughts in my mind. She was loving Jesus, exactly how I’ve been teaching her, and expressing her devotion exactly how she should—without shame.

I quickly came to my senses as I won the battle in my mind, and hugged her for serenading me with such a beautiful song choice. I told her how proud I was that she sang Jesus Loves Me.

Should we only sing Christian songs in a Christian setting? Or, is it more important to sing Christian songs in a non-Christian setting? Is it more important to shine my light in a lit room? Or, is it more powerful to shine my light in darkness?

The Lord checked my spirit that day; He did not let me off the hook. With a simple question, “Why did you react with fear when Jubilee was singing?” If I’m honest, I was afraid of people judging my precious three-year-old daughter, and I was apprehensive because people’s opposing beliefs can cause harmful repercussions. I had to make sure that day that I was not ashamed of this precious gospel I cherish, or ashamed of my Savior. I had to recommit to sharing my testimony with people who may very well reject me, unfriend me on Facebook/IG, or misinterpret my good intentions, as judgment. I cannot allow my love for God to become jaded by the fear of rejection.

Do I seek to please men or God? Galatians 1:10.

It’s funny that a tiny toddler can bring deep conviction into your life. Thank you, Jubilee, for keeping Mommy on the straight and narrow.

God has a protective jealousy over us; He doesn’t want to share you with the world. And, His desire is for us to have that kind of devotion to Him. I want to love Him so much that I will tell everyone. I am married to the love of my life, but I would be in a very dangerous place if I began to hide my love and pretend that I wasn’t married. I love my husband and I want everyone to know. If someone tells me, “I don’t like your husband, he’s lame,” that isn’t going to change my opinion of him. Their opinion is not going to break the covenant I made with him when we exchanged vows. I love him, regardless of what other people say or think. And, I need to be more devoted to the covenant I have with the Lord.

When you love God and His word with all of your heart, then it will not matter what you have to do to protect it when it’s under attack. I am going to defend my Savior. I am going to boldly declare my love. Just like a three-year-old with a toy tambourine, I’m going to sing, “Jesus Loves Me,” for anyone who can hear.