A Thought for the Weekend

January 23, 2009

Today while visiting the home of a congregational member I  noticed on entering her living room that she had the same drawing of Jesus that D and I have over our fireplace mantle. Above her copy was a red wood board and painted in white letters it read “Jesus loves me, this I know.”

At least that’s what I thought it read until she asked, “Did you look at it closely?” and looking up again I realized I’d read it wrong. What was actually written was “Jesus knows me, this I love.”

The rest of the day my mind has wandered back to those words and I like them. I like them for the same reason every Bible I’ve ever owned falls open effortlessly to Psalm 139 because I’ve turned to that passage so many times; a passage that speaks of God’s nearness and intimate knowledge of me, and it goes without saying, you. And I like that turn of that familiar phrase from childhood because it reminded me of the needlepoint my Grandma made for me as a child of Jesus the Good Shepherd that always hung near my bed. Anytime I was afraid, anytime I felt I didn’t matter, I’d look up at that stitched gold framed picture and pretend I was the lamb gently wrapped over Jesus’ shoulders and held securely in place by his hands.

It’s good to know God knows and loves us, and the simple joy of knowing that is something we never out grow but instead spend our whole lives growing in to.

You’re loved. You’re known. You matter. Carry that with you into the weekend my friend.

Posted in Love and Grace, SnapShot Reflections