My Teddy Bear
Besides other symbols of love on Valentine’s day, my sweetheart gave me this darling “Warmies” weighted bear that is microwaveable (great for a cold winter’s night) and has Lavender Aromatherapy in him. WHAT? A grown woman receiving a Teddy Bear – oh yes! Not only is he the softest and cutest, but he is a token of sweet love. What a “comforting” gift for babies AND me!
If I were a baby, this little bear might be something I would treasure forever. Wait! I’m not a baby and I’ll treasure him forever! Did you know that inventor Morris Michtom, in 1903, petitioned President Theodore Roosevelt to use his nickname, Teddy, for the bears he had made. The president agreed and, before long, Teddy bears were being made by toy manufacturers everywhere.
There is a science behind a “Teddy bear”. Yes, it’s a stuffed bear with fur, a sweet face and has sentimental value for us for a long time. But it is much more. It is also a transitional object that provides a sense of security when a baby is separated from his/her mom when she goes to work or takes the baby to a daycare or has a babysitter.
My grandbabies needed their “blankies” to help them handle moments of transitions. The theory is like a mother holding and caring for her baby. The baby cuddles his/her Teddy bear or soft item and associates it with his/her mother. The bear or blankie becomes the security and comfort needed when mother isn’t present.
It seems like a far-fetched stretch of the imagination to segue to OUR need for a sense of security, no matter how old or how young we are. Everyone experiences insecurity at times, but I learned long ago how NOT to live an insecure life.
I know it is God’s will for us to be secure in Him and live without fear. He created us to feel safe, secure, and confident. It’s part of our spiritual DNA as believers in Christ. The key to living a secure life is knowing who we are in Him, and basing our worth and value on who God says we are, not on what we do.
I define self-esteem as having confidence that I am who God says I am. It is not dependent on my own abilities, but on knowing that God will equip me for the work He has set out for me to do.
Though our babies and children may need added comfort from their Teddy bear or blankie, we adults have THE COMFORTER (Holy Spirit) Who promises to never leave us or forsake us and Who gives us comfort and joy as we lean into Him.
2 Corinthians 1:3 says, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.”
I am long past the need for a Teddy bear though I will treasure my little cuddly one from here to eternity. But most important, I am ever thankful for the security of knowing God’s love, grace and peace in my life. Thank You, Lord!
“And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security.” Job 11:18