A Bag Full of Love

A Bag Full Of Love
Marybeth Whalen

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Devotion:
Recently, I received a gift bag filled with the following items: a birthday candle, a page from a calendar, a list of words, a thread, and a picture of a baby. I loved what each item symbolized so much that I wanted to share them with you!

The birthday candle symbolizes that God knew the day you were born. He ordained the circumstances and people who were involved in your birth. He knew what you would look like and who would welcome you. He knew how much you would weigh, what your cry would sound like, and whether you would be bald or have a head full of hair. (Psalm 139:16)

The page from the calendar symbolizes that each of your days was planned before you were even born. He knew how you would spend your days—what your hobbies and interests would be, what your job would be, and who you would share your days with. He knew the days you would spend honoring Him and the days you would wish you could do over. (Psalm 139:2-3)

The list of words (which could be a typewritten list or a page from an old dictionary) symbolizes that God knows every word you say before you even say it. The nice words and not-so-nice words. The angry words and the words of encouragement. The times you should have held your tongue and the times you thought of the right words to say hours too late. He knows the times you have spoken up on His behalf, and He sees the times you were too shy and unsure to speak. (Psalm 139:4)

The thread represents the hairs on your head, which the Bible tells us are numbered. Straight hair or curly hair, red hair or gray hair, real or “bottled” color. God knows every detail of you, His marvelous creation. He counts your freckles, knows the ridges on your fingernails, and sees the blemishes you try to hide. He truly loves you, warts and all. (Matthew 10:30)

Finally, the picture of a baby is to remind you that He knit you together in your mother’s womb. He knows you better than your parents, your spouse, your children or your friends. He knows the parts you don’t show anyone else. He sees the tears no one else sees. He hears the dreams and frustrations no one else hears. He knows you, inside and out. (Psalm 139:13)

The Bible assures us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. I once read that the word “wonderfully” in the Hebrew is “palah,” which means “to distinguish, or to be set apart.” God created each one of us to be unique and distinct in some way. We each have a special destiny only we can fulfill. In a world of comparisons and keeping up with impossible standards, it is so easy to forget that our uniqueness is His gift to us. Too often we see it as a curse.

Psalm 139:14 says “I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” God wants us to praise Him for the way that He made us. He wants us to celebrate the little details He thought of. A friend bought a tee shirt for her little boy that said, “When God Made Me, He Was Just Showing Off.” Oh, that we could all feel His pleasure in us to that extent!

I love that the contents of this bag helps me to focus on God’s love for me - a love that exceeds my limited understanding, a love that goes far beyond skin deep.

Being a Teacher

Growing up with my parents I have always had the "teacher" drive: helping them correct papers, learning how to develop lesson plans, creating bulletin boards. But today i really felt like a teacher. My job right now is requiring me to read and edit a document so that the nursing department at Northwestern can be come accredited. As I am reading my teachers' work circle grammar mistakes, misspelled works, and reading need more, I feel like a teacher. Maybe I missed my calling.

Summer 2008

This summer has been a whirl wind of activity for me. Starting in May after school got out I found out that my father was losing his job. Thankfully he was able to get a new one in Edgerton, Minnesota. So my family began the process of packing and moving. I moved in to my new apartment in Orange City, Iowa on July 21, 2008. I have two amazing roommates and we get along great. I am working a lot at the nursing department at NWC and as a CNA at a local nursing. I am looking forward to my vacation to the Boundary Waters during the first week of August. After my vacation school starts again soon and I am really looking forward to seeing my friends again.

Today I was reading a lot of blogs and learning many new things. So I decided to start mine up again. I know I do not write a lot but I will to try change that. My goal is to post at least 3 times a week...Who knows maybe i will be posting everyday :)