Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
they are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The bible tells me so.
I remember singing this old children's hymn at bible school. I am not sure that I had any real appreciation for the sentiment of the hymn at the time. Bible school happened in the summer, not because of my parents burning desire for us kids to have a spiritual education - but because it was summer and my mother was not overly keen to have 5 kids lounging in front of the TV, scrapping over the toy prize in the cereal box or whining about being bored. So, 2 weeks of bible school conveniently ate up 1/4 of the summer holidays, (and, it was free, another aspect that pleased my parsimonious parents). If I remember correctly, bible school took place in the afternoon and swimming lessons happened in the morning...in an unheated pool. Given my great distaste for plunging in to a freezing body of water and struggling to survive (I swim like a stone), it was like being in Hell in the morning and jockeying for a position in heaven for in the afternoon. I never really did learn to swim; however I can float and tread water - 2 handy skills if I am ever shipwrecked). I didn't truly appreciate and come to know Jesus until I was 40 years old. That is when I began to believe that Jesus loves me. Still, the foundation was laid for 2 life saving opportunities. I am glad that I know Jesus loves me, and hopefully I can float my way to shore if I fall over board off of a cruise ship. If I can't, then I'm saved anyway... a win-win if ever there was one.
The theme today is actually that Jan is lovable. Jesus loves me. Now, I won't argue with a guy like Jesus. If He loves me unconditionally, then who am I to argue? I mean, I'm not such a bad egg am I? He knows everything about me. Every little white lie, and all of the whoppers too. Each bit of gossip, mean-spirited thought, actions and deeds are duly noted, and then forgiven once I acknowledge my sins. I don't know how he keeps up, cause I give him loads of material every day. But He loves me, warts and all.
Eric loves me. I have known Eric for over 30 years. We met, fell in love, and decided to get married after THREE WEEKS of dating. Nobody thought it would last, except for us. I get that the odds were against us, but I know why we have thrived in this relationship. It's because we don't have to pretend, we don't place conditions on being lovable, and Eric is an incredibly patient man. I mean, he is my opposite in terms of almost everything. He's low key, type B, can happily sit still in a quite room for hours, drive the car without the radio on, sleep when he is stressed, and find humour in almost any situation. He's been through tough times too, just like me - and has his own stuff to deal with. But that is what makes him such a gentle soul, and why he has the capacity to love without judgement. He is the Ying to my Yang, and to coin a corny movie line... he completes me. Eric loves me warts and all - even when I crash the car.
My kids love me. Not because I was a June Cleaver type of mom (for those of you who did not watch TV in the 60's, google that reference if you don't know who June is). I was not a stay-at-home mom for much of their upbringing. Daycare and baby sitters factored into their daily life in a significant way. But, my kids were my priority at all times, and everything I did was meant to offer them something more than what I perceived I ever had as a child. At the age of 56, I am coming to appreciate that some of the most valuable knowledge, lessons and skills my parents taught me came disguised in hurts, angry words or simply a lack of validation. They loved me and showed it in their own way. I love my children and have always told them so. They were given the opportunity to make decisions and experience consequences, which has contributed to their capacity for risk taking. Both are creative, caring, bluntly honest, fiercely protective of their family and friends. Each has a great sense of humour in their own right. They are intelligent, and never willing to settle for the status quo. Lessons, I believe that they learned from me, and their father.
My kids will be the first to tell people that their mother is a bit crazy. If asked what my theme song is, they would say "Born to be Wild". If asked what my theme music is, they would say the theme music from Mission Impossible (the 1970's TV version). They would say I am cool, creative, supportive, and that I can be counted on to listen, although a bit too quick with advice. My kids love me - even though I was a bit embarrassing at times when they were growing up, and have potential to be quite a handful when I am an old lady. They have no idea what they're in for. Bwa ha ha ha.
My friends love me. Not because I'm the first to arrive at their door step with a casserole when their life is in crisis. More because no matter how long between visits, (days, months, or even years), we can pick up where we left off and I always care about their well-being. I'm not one for picking up the phone for a chat. I'm not one for going out for coffee every day. I am not the first one to send an email, message on facebook or pick up the phone and call. Yet, people stay in touch. Can't think why... will have to meditate and pray on that for a while. My friends love me, even though I don't stay in touch.
My siblings love me. 2 brothers older than me, and 2 sisters younger. We are spread apart coast to coast, and are not inclined to connect regularly by phone or Internet. Yet, we don't bare grudges against one another and any residual sibling rivalry does not interfere with our rare opportunities to reunite. I'm the middle child, oldest daughter and to some degree, the matriarch of the family. Although we might go for months without connecting, we rally around each other when life gets complicated. My siblings love me.
So, the votes are in, and it's official. Jan is lovable. Hmmm, who'd of thunk it? Jesus, that's who. He loves me, the bible, my husband, my parents, my kids, my siblings and my friends, tell me so.
It's me, Jan
No comments:
Post a Comment