What if I were a….: God Still Loves Me
Hello Friends,
Well did you get any Valentine’s Day cards or candies from any secret admirers?!?! I can remember when I was your age and in elementary school, every year my teachers would put together a Valentine’s Day Party. We were instructed to bring treats for everyone, have a Valentine for everyone, and to make some sort of decorative box to place the Valentines in. Almost every year when I opened my box, I would receive one or two Valentines that were signed “From Your Secret Admirer.” At the time I didn’t know who they were from: I received a Valentine from every person in the class but then there were these mystery Valentines. Over the years I put the pieces together though!
Reflecting on memories of past Valentine’s Days, I am reminded of a story my parents used to read to me as child. As a child, my mom and dad read the book I Love You Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore to me almost every night. The premise or moral of the book is that a child asks his mama, “But mama, but mama, what if I were a big, scary ape….what if I were a super smelly skunk…what if I were a meat eating dinosaur would you still love me?” And the mama’s response, every time, is, “I love you.” Back then I thought it was extremely funny that my mama would love me if I were a super smelly skunk. But today, I realize that my mom and dad love me no matter who I am or what I look like or even what I smell like.
Love sees us for who we are and it doesn’t scare people away. My parents, by reading this book to me, showed me that no matter what I do, where I go, or who I am, they will always love me; and from their love I have become something and somebody. (I bet if they knew how smelly my feet are now, they would probably be second guessing themselves on this idea of loving me for who I am!) And just like how my parents’ love for me is powerful–and kind and patient and true–the love that God gives me and you is a love that sees us for who we are and has the power to encourage us to keep going.
God is love. Love gives us motivation to be who God has created us to be—stinky, fearful, brave, or a big scary ape. Love inspires us to reach for the stars. Love is part of our DNA, our way of living, our stories and legacies, a precious gift that we want to give to others. Love is definitely patient, kind, truthful, and trusting. Love is something that never ends because, just like God, it bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. Again, if you were stinky, fearful, brave, or a big scary ape, God will still and will always love you for who you are. Love is definitely powerful! Go and share God’s love with others. As my mom always tells me, “I love you stinky face!”
Your Friend, Holy Spirit!
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