John 10:14-16
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
On her most recent weekend visit, granddaughter, Virginia Rose, decides she wants to explore the drawers of Legos stored in our garage since my husband, Danny's, boys outgrew them. The purpose of these drawers is to keep the Lego pieces organized by color, people, animals, and other accessories. Virginia wants to take it one (or two) steps further, sorting even more conscientiously.
We love watching as she rummages through each bin, rejoicing in her discoveries, and placing her finds in various groups. After all, isn't that what children are taught at home and in school? How to identify items that are alike and those that are different?
It soon becomes evident, though, that there are objects that don't quite qualify into any obvious classifications.
As I look at these non-Lego items Virginia has relegated to one group, I can't help but think of the Island of Misfit Toys in the movie Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Toys whose only desire is to be loved and cherished by a child, but their flaws and shortcomings prevent them from finding such fulfillment.
Set aside, a jumbled array of flotsam and jetsam, they are not seen as fit to keep company with the real Legos.
But what Virginia does once she's amassed each group surprises us. She places them in separate, dedicated baggies, ready to be returned to their respective bins, but now with the distinction of being special.
Chosen.
Even those deemed "Non-Lego" receive a bag to call their own.
Virginia doesn't want to leave anyone out in the cold.
And, thankfully, neither does Jesus.
Maybe today, you are feeling like a misfit in God's kingdom. Thinking you're not good enough, faithful enough, strong enough, worthy enough to ever enter into God's elite sheep pen.
But Jesus tells us a different story. A marvelous story. One replete and overflowing with love and grace and mercy.
I have sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.
Friend, that is you. And that is me.
Jesus is calling us, on no merit of our own, to be part of one flock, guarded by one shepherd.
Are you listening to His voice?
Amen!
Chosen has a special meaning. Even though not adopted as a child, I have talked to enough who have been and the feeling of chosen is important. How much more to have been chosen by the Father to be His.
ReplyDeleteYes, Bill, "chosen" has a special meaning, indeed. Davy, in my novels, is the "Chosen One," echoing the miracle of our Father choosing us as His children. We are so blessed, aren't we?
DeleteLove and blessings!
What wonderful thoughts and perspective, and Virginia has a beautiful mind. Warm greetings to you and yours. Happy August!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Blogoratti! Happy August to you, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
How sweet that the ones that didn't fit became special!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet, indeed, Galen. I love the heart Virginia has. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
(Gulp) Wonderful story and life lesson, Martha. Once we grasp that our Father is perfect and doesn't make mistakes, we realize that none of us are misfits, just misplaced till we follow our Shepard's voice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the beautiful reminder. No better way to learn or remember than through a real life story.
Your granddaughter is a beautiful gift from God!
So glad to see you here, Floyd! I'm enjoying following your blog, too. Why did it take me so long to realize you were a blogger?
DeleteThank you for your kind words. I love what you said: "none of us are misfits, just misplaced till we follow our Shepherd's voice." Absolute truth!
And yes, I have to agree, Virginia IS most certainly a beautiful gift from God to us all.
Love and blessings!
Oh, Martha, this is an amazing and beautiful post. It's mind-boggling to grasp that God treasures the misfits, in fact, He has a special place in His heart for them! Virginia has a tender, sensitive heart and I pray that she keeps it. If she is doing this for toys, I pray that she is also doing that with her peers.
ReplyDeleteVirginia is a special treasure and so are YOU!
Love and blessings!
Oh, Kim, I pray Virginia will always keep a tender and sensitive heart, too! She is kind to her peers, thank goodness, and never met a stranger that soon didn't become a friend. Being of a highly sensitive nature myself, though, I know how easily feelings can be hurt, especially when overtures of kindness are met with hostility of any kind. Hope Virginia can remain kind and loving even in the face of adversity.
DeleteShe is a special treasure to us all, and our friendship is unique and special, too. Always remember that!
Love and blessings!
I LOVE this, Martha! Every aspect of it. I certainly needed to be reminded of it. Thank you! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteTrudy! You're back! Can't wait to read your blog again, my friend.
DeleteI'm so glad this post touched your heart. That's what I always pray God will do through the words He gives me.
Love and blessings!
Oh, to be "chosen" by God as His own special treasure! That is who and what we are, those who belong to Jesus. And Jesus is still seeking others who are still outside the fold...calling them home. May we always be cognizant of those who are still longing to belong to the fold, and help them find their way! This was a wonderful post! Thank you. I haven't forgotten the other two books...I've just been kind of mind boggled and not able to focus on anything for a couple of days...guess I just needed a rest. I will get back to them soon. I'd better hurry before I forget what I read and have to read them all over again....
ReplyDeletePamela, no need for apologies whatsoever! I hear you about being distracted about so many things (remember what Jesus told Martha?), and I find myself there more than I'd like.
DeleteI thought, too, when writing this post, that Jesus was thinking of the Gentiles, those of us who were not and never would be part of the Jewish heritage and tradition. With you, I like to think that every human born on earth, Jesus longs to treasure. May we be enabled by Him to bring many sheep into the fold.
Love and blessings!
i love how you spin a wonderful spiritual lesson from a day with Virginia. Love how you see God in all things. Inspiring.
ReplyDeleteVirginia just seems to exude God's presence whenever she is around, Jean. All I have to do is write the report. :) Yes, she taught us all a powerful, spiritual lesson!
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a lovely post to read at the end of my day. I am chosen. I can rest easy knowing my Jesus loves me.
ReplyDeleteI love the lessons we learn from our little ones.
Many blessings to you, dear Martha!
Yes, Beckie, we can all certainly rest assured knowing we have been chosen by the Good Shepherd. The little ones have so much to teach us, don't they?
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
This sounds so delightfully familiar. My sweet granddaughter and her brother spent a few days with us this past week too. They are five and two. We had a lovely and busy few days. So glad you got to enjoy your grand as well. Thank you for this fun recounting.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you got to see your grands, too, Nells! Five and two sounds like a handful to me, that's for sure, so good for you. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!