Last month I received a Fathers Day card that said, "Hands down, you're the best Dad!"

(On the front of the card it said, "Hands down ...". And it had a picture of Luke standing next to Darth Vader, with each having one of their hands (each attached to the arm) lying on the ground in front of them. Now, who would ever say Darth Vader was the 'best' Dad?? Of course, my loved ones know my sense of humor ...and though it does not come from the 'dark side', it does come from both sides of my family. And sarcasm is also endearing in my family, while other families may consider it injurious. We are always sarcastic ...if we don't like you, we don't talk to you at all.)

We should all aspire to to be the best we can be ...though it may be unreasonable to try to be the 'best', or even consider that we are. I believe God created us ...and along with the dynamics of each of us and considering the future, I believe God directed us along a path of being a family. And I believe that no one can loves us like we love each other, nor should anyone.

But, I must say that it may not even be good to aspire to being the 'best' parent.  We are all imperfect, and though I want to be a 'good' parent ...it is best for me to not have my children look to me, but to the One who is truly 'good'.

Do we want to be in the 'best' church?? Most of us go to church to worship and praise God, but also to be encouraged ...and we don't want conflict. But all of us have some form of conflict, though some seemingly more than others ...and they are the ones who need the most encouragement, which we may not feel we want to give. And it does not involve compromising God's Word, but perhaps our comfort zone. God does not ask us to go to a brothel, but it people who frequently visit or are employed there decide to come to church ...we can share the verse where Jesus showed love, along with His encouraging words of, "Sin no more!"  

It is a bit disturbing to me if someone says their church is the 'best'. The word 'best' would have to be defined, but also I believe the comparison should be abandoned. It sort of seems not to acknowledge the 'good' that God is doing elsewhere, and in truth, what is not considered the 'best' may be doing the most 'good'. (Comparisons can be unhealthy, not just to those who are being compared, but also to the one doing the comparisons. I like to talk about God, and let each person decide for themselves whether they can find the good ...as the good is certainly overflowing in its fullness, though each person would have to accept the leading of God's Holy Spirit to see that which is available to see. Sadly, often people also claim that others have less of the Holy Spirit than they could have/should have ...and though we should aspire to be closer to God, we shouldn't be tempted by words that make us feel we have more when we don't. That can be worse than Eve's situation in the Garden of Eden ...as she at least quickly knew she was not gaining more, but was deceived.) 

Like I said, I am not at all for compromise ...as I believe God's Word should be rightly represented. But, we should at least view those whom God would consider our 'neighbors' to be equal to those whom we have much compassion for while sending out missionaries to those who have not heard the Word. Those who are next door may have heard about God's Word, but they may not have heard it accurately ...through His love.

(One other note: It is good to do our best in most cases. When I was in college, I usually had what was considered a full credit load. And it became quickly evident that if I gave my 'all' to one subject, the other subjects would suffer. I had to realize what was my best approach. Even while writing this blog, it is not the best I can do ...as I know I can do better, but I also don't want to miss church this Sunday, and I am writing while the rest of the family is showering and getting ready. After church we will spend time with each other, and then one to other things. Likely I will not return to this blog any time soon ...so, I know it's not my best. I also know my limitations, and that often if I try to improve something I just make it worse. Well ...time to go!!)