Faded Blue Fur

by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁷⁹⁾ Red Star

Big Bear of to the left behind Tika

I am still amazed after all these years that He loves me. He knows my lumps, bumps, flaws, and missing parts and you know what? He loves me all the more! It's like looking at my old teddy bear. You might have one like mine: button eyes and faded blue fur, the bear of my infancy. Big Bear still has a place of honor in my home. He has gone from my close childhood companion to a perch high in my kitchen in a little red wagon. Big Bear looks out over the most precious room in the house, my domain, and surveys all. The bear of my childhood would not win any beauty contests but he doesn’t need to as he has won my heart long, long ago. Yes, I love Big Bear, maybe because of his lumps, bumps and flaws. He is unique to me; we have traveled far together.

Today, Jesus is once again sharing His thoughts with us in that still, small voice whispering:

Child, I’d like to speak to more than your heart. We need times to listen (together), times for you to be still and KNOW that I AM God. I LOVE you. Really (selah) pause and think calmly about that. -- are these your words, Marijo?

Maybe that is how God sees me, like I see Big Bear. Perhaps all those things which make me uniquely me and completely His are what endear me to Jesus. I know that He cares so much for me and for you, way beyond our material value. He looks straight into the heart of us. He values who we are because He made us, planned for us and knows our each and every thought, yet, He loves us still. And that is His unconditional love. Will you allow Him to draw you close? Will you allow Him to make you His child? His forgiveness is there for the asking. He is nothing less than God wanting to set the captive free. Believe me, you have never known a freedom or love like His.

Looking at the word “encourage” we see the word courage. Does it mean to give courage? The thesaurus says to give confidence, hearten, cheer, support, persuade, push and promote among other things. I think to give courage would fit right in here too. Jesus definitely gives me courage, to hope, to trust, to believe though I haven’t yet obtained and to hang on tightly to the promises in His Word.

We can talk to Him in prayer: Ah, Lord God, please help us to slow down, to walk liberated in all the light we have. Help us to get a picture, glimpse by glimpse, of your most incredible love for us. Help us to listen and ask, to walk upright in You. Thank You for your most inexplicable love that wants to spend time with us. Thank You most of all for who You are and what you did and continue to do. AMEN

Deuteronomy 30:20 says “that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them…” (NKJV)

In Psalm 46:10 we are encouraged, given courage to be still and know that He is God. It also states God will be exalted above the nations and above the earth.

In John 16:27 Jesus is speaking saying “No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”

I wonder at the special, individual place each one of us has in the heart of God. I think there are really no words to explain that place. It is a most wonderful place to experience more and more as we walk with Him. Let’s give Him our hands and our hearts as we walk closely with Him today.

Would love to have you visit my blog: http://myincrediblelord.blogspot.com/

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

Article submitted Thursday, April 28, 2011 & read 8 times.

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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁷⁹⁾ (1 year 10 days ago.)

Thanks Verna - I didn't get notified that you read this???? OH, you placed your comment under facebook comments - the "normal" comment box is at the very bottom.

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