Hannah's new favorite song is "Zaccheus." You know the "wee little man" who climbed a tree so he could see Jesus walk by? We've sung it more times than I can count, and she's starting to do the actions with me. The cutest part of the song is when Hannah puts her hands on her hips, points, and in a bossy tone says, "Zaccheus, you come down!" She's just mimicing me, that's how I sing the song too.
This may sound trivial to some, but I started wondering what view of God am I creating when I put my own bossy, hand on hip-twist to the song. There are other children's songs that leave me wondering this as well. My first reaction is to think, "How harmless could a little kid's song be?" But on the other hand, I haven't stopped thinking about Hannah repeatedly yelling at Zaccheus, demanding that he come down from the tree, this instant! I mean, that's not the point of the actual story in the Bible. God's grace and unconditional love is the main point.
Tax collectors (Zaccheus) were highly disliked, deceitful, greedy people. Zaccheus knew he wasn't welcome in his community, but wanted to just get a glimpse of Jesus while he was in town. Jesus spotted Zaccheus, challenged status quo and invited himself over to his home, and spent time with him, a reject among his people. It's really a great story of acceptance and redemption, actually.
Do I want Hannah to look cute, but at the same time get the idea that God/Jesus was this purely bossy, harsh leader? Or do I want her to remember God's love and acceptance for all people, no exceptions?
I know, I'm probably taking this little moment, and making it bigger than it is, or am I? I just know, from now on, I'm focusing on the last, most important line (at least, in my opinion), "for I'm going to your house today." And of course, she'll look cute regardless.
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