"Mommy, How much do I cost?"

For years I have refused to buy a bathroom scale. The main reason being...they are evil!! However, I finally talked myself into buying a new scale a couple of months back. One morning while getting ready for work, my 4 year old, Madison, comes into the bathroom, hops up on the scale and asks, "Mommy, how much do I cost?" I corrected her by saying, "It's weigh, not cost." Her question lingered in my mind. "How much do I cost?" I could have told her that she cost me three home pregnancy tests (as she was an unexpected blessing and I was in denial), 35 pounds, 3 months of being uncomfortable, approximately 6 weeks of sleeping in the recliner, labor pains, and a lot of money! The list could go on and on. Then I began to think of what I have received in exchange for that cost. I have gained a beautiful blessing who has touched my life in so many ways. She was a gift I didn't even know I needed until I received it. I have gained a type of joy that can only come from a child, the memories that only a mommy's heart will ever understand, and another reason to thank God every day of my life for allowing her to be mine. The reward outweighs the cost by far.
And then another thought crossed my mind. What if I were to ask God that same question. "God, how much did I cost?" He might say that I have cost him many days of frustration when I have behaved selfishly, foolishly, or even sinfully. He might say that I have cost him way too much time and energy from holding on to me so tightly during those times in life when I had chosen to let go of him. Or, he might just say, "You cost me my only Son."
John 3:16 (NIV) - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
God sent his only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for me and for you. Jesus paid the ultimate cost. The Word of God tells us that: "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53: 5 (NIV)
I don't know about you but I want to be sure that I am doing everything I can to show God how grateful I am to him for allowing Jesus to pay the cost for me. I didn't deserve it and will never be worthy of it, but I can make sure that while I am on this earth that I do everything I can to show my gratitude. How can I do that? I can do that by obeying his Word, living a life that is holy and acceptable and pleasing unto him, and by reaching out to the lost to win them to the Lord.
Although my children caused me great pain to bring them into this world, I will never regret my decision to have them. It is my desire that although it cost Jesus great pain that he never regret his decision to die for me.

Blessings!
Wendy