Bears bounced into my life on day one of my existence. According to family, Uncle Justin strolled into the Portland, Oregon hospital, carrying his gift for the first grandchild in the life of his parents. This small bear began his journey early, as my father’s work took him around the country continually, and bear and the family faithfully followed.
Perhaps that gift planted a love of bears in the heart of its owner, me, Kathryn Ann. Today my bedroom houses a menagerie of wooly, cuddly, black-eyed huggables. The collection includes tiny to rather large stuffed creatures. One has a fluffy, fancy, purple bow while another wears the sweatshirt from a company for which I worked. Their fur colors range from white to all shades of brown and tan. Sunglasses, a tiny bell, and silly hats provide variety. They are a mixed-up group of friends, but this gray-haired one still adores them.
As I reflect on this collection, I realize they remind me of many lessons about life and the world around me. Even the word ‘bear’ made me think of the scriptures. David, in Psalm 68:19, tells us to praise the Lord, our Savior, who everyday bears our burdens. When children are tucked into bed, parents frequently pop a bear by their side. Sometimes hugs are given to the little creature, while other times the wee one rolls over on the toy, as he or she snoozes away. Regardless, comfort results.
As humans face the days’ challenges, our Lord reaches out, holds our hands, hears our complaints and will guide our steps up the steep mountains of life. If we let him, He will provide comfort. Yes, He bears’ our burdens. Paul, in Ephesians 4:2, even urged the Christ followers to be humble, gentle, patient, and to bear or hold up one another in love. In Galatians 6:2 Paul tells the Christians, in Galatia, to bear each other’s burdens. We also must be part of the action. Ask, seek, and hold His hand, as you reach out to others. God’s comfort and peace will help your eyelids close, and rest engulf you, as you return, exhausted from doing good on His behalf.
This varied group of bears reminds me that all people are welcome in the Lord’s kingdom. The mixed collection of guys and gals is smushed into their little ‘trunk’ world, smiling, snoozing, and ‘bearing-up,’ as they share their world with each other.
Certainly, this is an example of what God intended when He created man and woman. We are to share, to love one another, to care. Perhaps we need to take a moment and pray that more hugging, and sharing, and loving others, can permeate all nations and people of the world today.
One in the collection of furry fellows has only one eye. Another needs a new clown suit. They are not perfect. I will never, ever, however, change the little red and white outfit on the clown, for it is very special. My mother made both the clown and the outfit. I love that clown just as she is.
Well, dear reader, isn’t it great that God loves us, just like we are? Pimples, bruises, bad attitudes, grouchy spirits, or even outright misbehavior may need some fixing up, but He still cares for you. He wants you to be as ‘bearable’ as possible, so your warmth and love will draw others to Him, but your blemishes do not automatically exit you from His love. We do, however, need to pray for forgiveness, seek to improve, and desire to be as Christ-like as possible.
Yes, I did wash the little clown suit by hand one day. It was dusty and wrinkled. It was still what my mother created, but some of the blemishes were gone. Jesus shed His blood to wash our dirt/sin away. The clown is still in the trunk, and we can still be in His Kingdom.
A couple of our creatures attempt to share a message to those passing by the trunk. One banner says, ‘Congratulations’ and another spells out, ‘Reading takes you everywhere.’ As I close out these thoughts, I hope you remember that in I Thessalonians 5:16, we are told to ‘rejoice always.’ The Lord will be at heavens gates offering congratulations and celebrating your arrival.
How can we learn about this celebration? By reading from His word. Believing and obeying will take you everywhere, right through heaven’s gates.
Go For It Friends.
Share these ‘Bear’ messages with others.
We will then meet each other at heaven’s gate someday.
Kathryn Ransom 