Velveteen??

So the kids and I watched the Velveteen Rabbit tonight. And yes, Landri was in tears and wanted her daddy, so maybe it wasn't such a great movie choice, but what a precious story regardless.


"Its not love that makes you real, its in loving."  That was a quote from the horse to the swan. 


I've been sitting here thinking about that. A lot of truth to be learned from this timeless childhood story. It was the love of  God that created man, He wanted us to have a relationship with Him. To love Him. And though He loves us. Unconditionally. Regardless. Always. We do not become "real" (a child of His) til we choose to love Him. 


Thats how Rabbit became real in the story. He had to give up his life so the little boy could live. And isn't that just what Jesus did. John 15:13 tells us just that "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."  


Now I'm not saying that Jesus only becomes real if we love Him. Lets face it, Jesus is Jesus and God is God whether we believe in Them or not!  For us to honestly feel "real", that area can only be filled by loving God, having that relationship with him. We can spend our whole life going from man to man, dollar to dollar, mall to mall, friend to friend, but until we allow Him to fill that area all will be temporary. 


"Going through the motions doesn't please you, 
      a flawless performance is nothing to you.
   I learned God-worship
      when my pride was shattered.
   Heart-shattered lives ready for love
      don't for a moment escape God's notice."  Psalm 51:16-17 (Message)

Those are verses that have touched my life several times over the past couple of years and once again did tonight. Going through the motions of loving will not please Him. Trying to live a perfect life is nothing to Him. When we lay broken lives before Him, then He fills our hearts to overflowing with His love and then, my friend, we really love! Only then are we "REAL"!!

God is good folks! He will always keep His promises! Always faithful! Always there for you!

(And now I pray that the kids don't have nightmares of their favorite stuffed animals flinging themselves into a fire to save them!)