My Jerry Doll
I saw this precious little girl, the daughter of a dear friend, on my FB feed. Though this angel girl is adorable, it was her doll that caused a flood of memories. It reminded me of my “Jerry” doll. I named him “Jerry” after my new little cousin who I loved so much. And, I loved my Jerry doll so much. We were inseparable. With his soft stuffed body, he was just the right fit next to me each night. I wish I still had him, but I’m sure I wore him out which caused his demise.
My Jerry was flawed from overuse. But it didn’t matter, I still loved my Jerry. There was nothing valuable about my Jerry. He wasn’t expensive. He couldn’t do tricks. Jerry wasn’t a collector’s item. He was just an object of my love and affection.
My grandson still has a love for his blue baby blanket. I still see it on his bed. He’s a macho boy at almost 16, but that blanket is still an object of his affection. This type of love loves because it is valuable to the holder. Today it is frayed, scraggly and wouldn’t even merit being donated to charity. But it is still valuable to Bryson.
And, this is exactly how God loves us. We are just like my “Jerry” and Bryson’s “blankie”. We are flawed, broken, wounded, and there’s nothing hidden from God. He knows about every single one of our flaws. He knows about the scars on the outside and He knows about the secrets on the inside. But, no matter what, we are the object of love and affection by our Father God.
How do we know how much God loves us? Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates His love for us in this, while we were still” flawed – (worn-out dolls and blankets and while we were disobeying and breaking the heart of God) He still displayed His love for us, “While we were sinners, Christ died for us”.
God loves us with an unconditional, immeasurable love. It’s the kind of love that doesn’t look for what’s worthy in an object, but it’s the kind of love that gives worth to that object. In other words, God doesn’t love us because we’re worthy, but God’s love makes us worthy. That’s how good He is. That’s how powerful He is. It is His grace. It is His goodness. And therefore, love isn’t just an action. It is not just what God does, but it is His essence. It is exactly Who He is. 1 John 4, “God is love.”
I don’t know who this is for today, but I want you to hear and feel it. You are the one that Jesus loves. It doesn’t matter what you did; it doesn’t matter how dark you feel. It doesn’t matter the regrets that you carry or the shame that you endure, you are still the one that Jesus loves. Right now. I want you to say it. “I am the one that Jesus loves.” This isn’t a statement of pride but a statement of truth. That’s how good God is. He’s right here as you are reading this blog. He is actively loving you in this very moment.
God loves you. Whatever you did, let it go. The shame, the pain, the regret. He still loves you. I pray that you would be “Convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the past, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation would be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. (Romans 8:38-39)
Father, I ask today that our hearts would be open to Your love. I ask that You reveal your love and your loving kindness that draws us to you. Help us feel loved, valuable, and may your grace cause us to surrender our lives and all to You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.