One thing that has been tricky for me to wrap my mind around is that God not only loves me, He likes me. I have heard all my life that God loves me, but could He also like me? So often I don't like me - my personality, my quirks, my interests even. Yet grace would mean that God accepts the whole of me, including my personality and quirks and interests. If He actually created me a certain way, could it be He celebrates that creation? Yes!
Remember Mr. Rogers? I once saw a documentary on him, where he sang one of his songs to Joan Rivers during an interview. The song was called "It's You I Like" and Joan Rivers actually broke down in tears! It was a wonderful grace moment! Every person has that deep-down longing to be truly, unconditionally loved AND LIKED. I like to think that this is what God is singing to each one of us today:
It's you I like,
It's not the things you wear,
It's not the way you do your hair -
But it's you I like
They way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you -
Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys -
They're just beside you.
But it's you I like -
Every part of you, Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you'll remember
Even when your're feeling blue
That it's you I like,
It's you yourself,
It's you -
It's you I like...
(Song written by Fred Rogers)
