Who Is Driving Your Tractor in 2019?

Looking at the table where my nativity was beautifully displayed, I paused. My grandson, Logan, was quietly and gently playing with the wise men, camels, sheep, and donkey; which I’d said he could do. He had moved the hay from the “barn” and back into the “barn” with his green John Deere tractor several times. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. The mess and all. But then, I realized, what else would a three year old think you were supposed to do with hay. However, then I noticed baby Jesus wasn’t in His manger. Before I could say, “Where is baby Jesus,” I spied Him…perched behind the yellow steering wheel of the John Deere. My first reaction was to blurt, “Get Jesus off the tractor and back into the manger!” Instead, I held my tongue and watched Logan gently guide the tractor across the table, carefully holding baby Jesus upright. It was then that I realized Logan was giving Jesus great honor. He was letting Jesus drive his John Deere. Instead of correcting Logan, I found myself saying, “You are so sweet to share your tractor with baby Jesus.” In Logan’s mind, he no doubt thought, “Why would Jesus want to lay on hay when He could drive a tractor?”

I learned two lessons from Logan that day.

The first lesson is that I’m too narrow minded about the ways I think to honor Jesus. Watching Logan play, I realized I should invite Jesus into more of my daily activities. Why should I “shelf” Him when He wants to be a part of all the aspects of my life?

Second, I began wondering if I truly let Jesus “drive my tractor.”  Logan placed Jesus in a premiere position: behind the wheel of his favorite toy. “Do I place Jesus in a premiere place, or do I just take Him along for the ride?” I wondered.

As we close this year and look forward to the next, I think it’s good for us to take an assessment of our lives. Has Jesus been pleased with all we’ve done this past year? Are there areas where we excluded Him and didn’t invite Him to be a part? Have our desires been the driving force behind our days? Or, have we placed Jesus in the seat of honor and asked Him to steer us through our days?

It’s never too late for us to change; to do things better this coming year. Who is driving your tractor?

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You that He is eager to be an integral part of our lives. 

It’s not too late. Order Prayers of My Heart today and discover the difference recording your daily gratitude makes. 2019 can be different. 2019 can be better. Order Prayers of My Heart TODAY for you and your loved ones.

This post is adapted from 2013.