The past few days have been a series of firsts in our house:
- On Saturday morning, I dropped my 16 year old off for her first date.
- My son, a senior in college, is a first time mentor and recently met his mentee to show her around campus.
- My alma mater, UCLA, was ranked first among public universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report. (Sorry, not sorry, to my USC friends.)
Here’s the thing about firsts though . . . they come and go.
First dates often lead to second dates.
This first time mentoring opportunity is turning out to be such a good experience for my son that he’s already talking about maybe joining the program again next year as an “alum.”
First place rankings sometimes fall to second place (or lower – perish the thought!).
From the moment of birth, there are numerous “firsts” that we experience throughout our lifetime and then, they’re gone.
One first always remains though – we are always first with Jesus. There are countless reminders in His word of just how much we mean to Him . . . like 1 John 4:19: We love because He first loved us.
In her daily radio programs, “Diamonds in the Dust” and “Joni and Friends,” Joni Eareckson Tada reminds listeners how much we mean to our Savior:
“1 John chapter 2 says: “… if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” When we are at our weakest and most helpless, Jesus advocates on our behalf before the Father. And Jesus wants to be your defender.”
Joni also shares about how He blesses us,
“. . . with instruction, and gentle persuasion, with health, comfort and consolation in times of hardship. He blesses you with friends, intellect, eye sight, hearing.”
She also reflects on how He shows us His favor . . .
“By giving you a purpose for living and a mission to accomplish. Oh my goodness friend, Jesus has blessed you with grace upon grace upon grace.”
When the novelty of that first time experience wears off or that first place ranking drops to second place, what an assurance to know that we remain first with Jesus . . . always!
