I didn’t expect it that morning.
I really didn’t expect it in the ladies room at Wawa.
I didn’t even know I needed it…
I was rushing to fit in a couple of errands before work and realized I hadn’t brought my coffee from home. I slipped into Wawa to grab one to take along with me. Washing my hands in the rest room, I glanced up and noticed a card partly tucked behind the fire alarm on the wall. There was Jesus—peeking around a corner, looking right at me with a kind and loving smile. The caption read, “Psst! I love you.”
Oh, how my heart quickened and the tears welled up in my eyes. I watched me in the mirror physically responding to His gentle words. My shoulders relaxed, my brow softened, I smiled to myself, and nodded in humble gratitude.
He does love me. I need look no further than the cross.
From my earliest years, I have often sung this truth. “Jesus loves me, this I know.” Had I forgotten it? I don’t think so. So why such an emotional and hungry response to His words on that wall?
I think it’s because I know who I am. I know what I do and what I think. And while I KNOW Jesus LOVES me, when I look in that mirror some days, I have a really hard time believing He should. I find myself wondering why He would even like me.
Alicia Bruxvoort nailed it in an article I stumbled across, one she wrote for the Proverbs 31 Ministries.
I don’t know about you, but somedays I just feel unlikeable.
Some days I feel messed up and maxed out, exasperated and exhausted.
Some days I’m not grateful or gleeful, flexible or fun.
Some days I don’t bring delight to my husband, my kids or even my dearest pals.
And to be totally honest, some days I don’t even like myself.
Yet scripture reminds us that the One who took our place on Calvary’s cross doesn’t merely tolerate us through gritted teeth or embrace us because of holy compulsion. As preposterous as it sounds, the One who first loved us, actually likes us too. And here’s proof:
· Psalm 18:19 says He takes joy in us.
· Psalm 149:4 declares He delights in us.
· Zephaniah 3:17 affirms He rejoices over us.
· And Psalm 147:11 proclaims that we bring Him pleasure.
It’s crazy when you think about it—that the perfect Prince of Heaven takes joy in His flawed followers on the dust of earth. But when I remember this simple truth, it changes the way I pursue my Savior.
When I acknowledge that Jesus enjoys me, I look for ways to enjoy Him, too. I seek His company as I go throughout my day, whether it’s talking to Him as I drive across town or laughing with Him over my children’s goofy antics.
I notice His kindness in the depths of my daily grind—the brazen sunset over the trees in my back woods or the unexpected phone call from a friend on a hard day.
And I relish His presence in the midst of my pandemonium. I savor the song of the birds beyond my window, the unexplainable peace in my hurry, the echo of an encouraging Scripture verse that runs through my mind.
In short, when I remember how the One who died for me also delights in me, I’m drawn to delight in Him, too.
So I’m gonna keep singing that Sunday School song I learned as a child: Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
But I’m also going to celebrate that oft-ignored truth that He also LIKES me.
Did you get that, friends? Oh, please do. My day reset after my wash room encounter with Jesus that morning. Living loved—and even LIKED—has that kind of dramatic effect on each of us. It changes the way we think, act, respond, choose, work, love, serve, and everything else…about ourselves, others AND our Father. As His children, ones who desire to follow Him into every area of our lives, we need to be reminded of that every day. We are loved.
So when you have been too busy, when your heart has wandered, when you have trusted false saviors, when you have willfully sinned, when you have been unjust or unkind, when your passions have controlled you—when you look into your mirror and see someone you don’t recognize, someone you don’t even like, remember that you are still loved. You see, it really doesn’t matter what you think of yourself, how you judge yourself, what you KNOW about yourself, how you feel, behave, or look. Jesus loves you. And it’s not because of who you are or even what you have done. Jesus simply has decided to love you...while you were still a sinner. Yes, it’s all because of who He is and what He has done!
Jesus loves you. He likes you. Believe it. Doesn’t that stir your heart? Doesn’t it make you want to smile and sing? Doesn’t it make you want to share that overwhelming, gracious love with someone else today?
Maybe you’ll find that person in Wawa.
*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.