"I'll trade ya"

It's funny how God uses your kids to teach you such powerful lessons in life. Just the other day, I overheard my boys in the old familar game of "I'll trade ya". I am sure we all remember days of being in a lunchroom, when everything from fries to cookies were exchanged with one quick, "I'll trade ya". It made me smile to think back to some of those times, and remember some good trades, and then a few others where I maybe didn't fare so well in the end, or maybe, remember the kid who had the tuna sandwich, or some other less appealing option, and therefore didn't fare so well in the game. Somewhere in all of this, it made me wonder, did God and satan ever play this game? Did satan ever come into the throne room, and offer me up as a trade? I wonder how that might have played out....Satan: "I have one for ya, God..she's a doosie...she'll lie with the best of them at times. God: "I'll trade ya. Satan: "Really???!! Look at her, she will be blantely disobiedant to you, she will without thought at times, break your laws, and be rebellious to you! God: I'll trade ya. Satan: "Wow, you must really have something you want to get rid of! I mean, seriously, she will turn her back on you, she will walk away, she will at times not even act as though she knows you. What do you say to that?" God: "I'll trade ya." Satan: "Alright, Alright, whatever you want....what could you possibly have to exchange for something as worthless as her?" God: "All I have, All my world, All that I can possible give...I will give of myself. I will exchange her imperfection for my own perfection. I will replace her unforgiviable blood with my own pure, flawless blood. I will choose to leave all I have, and send a part of me for you to TRY and destroy as a payment for all she has done, and will do. I will trade her for me." ...........wow....I had never thought of a possible exchange like that....what unfathomable love. What an optimist! Why can't I have that much hope? That insight? That love? How He could have made a trade like that, is something I will never understand this side of eternity, but you can bet, it will be one of the first things I ask Him....why??? how??? I break His heart probably on a daily basis....I am human...I am weak...I fight a disobediant, rebellious nature with all I have to fight, and yet, most days, it isn't enough. I guess that is what it all boils down to though, right? It will never be enough, I will never be enough, and HE knew that, that day. HE knew without His sacrifice I had no hope....and that is why, HE looked at Jesus that day, then looked at my pitiful heap, and said without hesitation, "I'll trade ya". I can only pray for a portion of that much love. With just that much, we can can change the world......overwhelmed at Him, yet again....but for the grace of God, go I.....