I love the stuffed bear stores you occasionally find in malls. While I enjoy a bear, it is the end-to-end processing of building your own bear that I find fascinating. The experience of selecting a skin, determining it is will have any special features, and then deciding how soft/hard it will be, is akin to playing creator. The imaginary friend that emerges is designed with the receiver in mind. It is as if the bear has two signatures – the designer and the designated parent.
If you anticipate the process and what unfolds, on script the eyes of a child light up! The parents stand near, proud, happy in the moment. Everyone has done her/his part. There seems to be a wonder and order about the process and moment at hand. As the creator and receiver choose clothes and accessories, the moment moves to a different level.
Life reminds me that we were created with set of values. For some, these hide deep within. For others, you can see and feel their values in their choices and actions. With time, one’s values move from being gifted to being personal. Whatever we are is the person of our choosing. Time allows us to participate in our creation.
As I anticipate a conference today, I realize that my values will be on display. I do not always pay attention to my heart. Today will be an opportunity to see what is there. Ideally, it will be a candid look. The measure is an old wisdom saying. “Whoever believes in the Son of God inwardly confirms God’s testimony. Whoever refuses to believe in effect calls God a liar, refusing to believe God’s own testimony regarding his Son.” (1 John 5.10) The outcome will tell me, and others, what I am made of.
I wonder what kind of bear I am. Whatever I see, I know it is not a finished product. The stuffing and dressing can be changed. You and I have the freedom within us to start the process. God is willing to be part of the creation process.
