If you read Squash Blossom Necklace Part 1-3, you probably understand the impact that Melody’s gesture had on me. You already know that I am so satisfied to be loved well by a few than to have the mild approval of a majority, that I’d rather cherish a Squash Blossom necklace than to chase after one thousand Crappy Bologna Sandwiches.
Two thoughts:
1) It is highly unlikely that I’m going to remember this little lesson as perfectly and as consistently as I want to. Inevitably I’m going to falter and regress to old habits. My hope is to continue preaching to myself the mantra that I don’t need to matter to everybody, that it’s enough to matter really well to a few. And if I lose every single one of My Few over time, if the only one left is just me, well, then I know that I still matter to the One who holds my life in the palm of His hand. So I’d say that’s still good enough, you know?
2) Additionally, when the Lord holds His love out to me, do I take His gift and let myself be satisfied?
When God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to reconcile us to Himself, God wasn’t just cleaning the junk out of His closet. Jesus wasn’t just something taking up space in the heavens that needed to be donated to a thrift store. Jesus was still precious, still wonderful, still valuable, still amazing… and yet still offered as a gift in a gesture of excruciating and unconditional love.
Do I put this gift on, like my Squash Blossom? Do I remember what this gift cost the Giver? Or do I waste His sacrifice by longing for more temporal pleasures, the kind that are bound to disappoint? Do I chase after Crappy Bologna Sandwiches, like recognition or approval, when I’ve already got the ultimate gift, His recognition and His approval?
Does that make sense?
What is something that God has given you that you could liken to a Squash Blossom necklace? And what is something by which you find yourself distracted, that eventually disappoints you like a Crappy Bologna Sandwich?
For me, the spiritual Squash Blossom is God’s peace; while one of my spiritual Crappy Bologna Sandwiches is the fleeting peace of busyness.
What an amazing reminder…
Thanks, Rach. I wasn’t sure if I’d make any sense as I feel kinda brain dead and am worried about beating this story to death.
yes, yes, yes ….. it does make sense
Makes total sense. The other night, a friend of mine said that he envied the inner peace that I had. I didn’t even realize that I had it until that very moment.
Wow, that is all I can say “wow! It comes from my heart too!
Oh my goodness! Yes this makes sense! I’m def always looking for approval,love and acceptance in others. And I know that I don’t receieve fully what God wants for me. And in reference to your more recent blog……….please keep Jesusing the hell outta us.