“What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day…”Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”
“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.” *
One of my favorite childhood books is The Velveteen Rabbit. In this story, another toy tells the bunny that he can become REAL if he is loved enough. As a girl, this fascinated me so much that I adopted a little stuffed bunny, taking it into the yard on all sorts of adventures, just in case the nursery magic might actually work.
The Son of God loves me. He treats us as if we were already transformed into His image. He lavishes His love upon us. We are His Beloved. He isn’t done transforming us yet…but if we stick close to Jesus, our wish to be REAL will come true. His love will make it so!
In my childhood book, the bunny stays in bed with the boy when he is sick with Scarlet Fever. This sacrifice almost leads to the gardener burning the germ-infested toy. Instead, the rabbit becomes REAL and hops away to a grand new adventure.
We are called to lay down our lives for Christ. It isn’t a glamorous choice, but it is how we demonstrate our love. Serving others, letting go of pride and ambition, tends to make us seem shabby. We don’t realize He is doing His very best work.
I want to become REAL. I want to lose my temporary comfort to know Him and be found in Him (Philippians 3:7-11). The Son loves me. He will continue what He has begun.
When the Velveteen Rabbit realized he had hind legs, he jumped and twirled in delight.
“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall” (Malachi 4:2, NIV).
Hang in there, my friend! God is at work. Every struggle you are going through is part of His plan. Jesus invites us to draw near. As we carry these temporary troubles, He helps us look more like Him. It will be worth it. We will be REAL! Hold onto His love.
*quote and pictures from The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, illustrated by Michael Green. If you’ve never read it, please do. It’s delightful!
That is such a good book.
I like how you applied it to the prompt.