The Teddy Bear

When I was but a young lad, no bigger than my daddy's knee. I had a friend so dear to me, closer than anyone else could be. Teddy was his name and when I got him he was brand new. Like a faithful friend we traveled everywhere together, he never left my side. We shared many secrets and in my arms did he always abide. I knew he was someone in whom I could always trust and confide. I loved him through and through.

But over time, this faithful friend so tried and true grew shabby, frayed and worn. An eye was missing from his face; his arm was limp and torn. His stuffing once white had now turned brown, and pieces of his ear were gone from dragging him around.

It seems like life had taken it toll on Teddy, and there were those who said I should toss him out. He's all used up they said, you need a new one, and I guess I'm Teddy's last holdout, for he is dear to me because he is loyal, brave and true. He hugs me when I need a hug, and comforts me when I'm blue. How could I abandon him after all the nights he had seen me through.

So with great care and affection I found a needle and thread, and then set about to sew back his sagging arm and put his eye back on his head. I stitched his ear to look like new and washed all his soiled fur. When I was done to my surprise although he wasn't new he looked good enough for at least one more tour. No, I could never leave him; he's been with me through it all. He may be shabby to the world, but to me he still stands tall.

As I have grown older and seen my share of woes I realize like Teddy I've seen much better days, I've got pains and body aches, I've grown worn and quite faded as I've seen too many May's. To the world I leave a lot to be desired. They'd just as soon as throw me out, no claim to fame have I. I'm ordinary, plain throughout, I'm just a passerby.

Teddy has been gone now for quite some time, lost along the way it seems as I went into the world to seek and find all my dreams. But I remember the lesson he taught me oh so long ago about the value of a friend and a love that doesn't grow cold. I searched the world over to find the one who would love me when I got old. Then one day to my surprise I discovered the one who loved me had been with me all along.

You see I've found there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, who mends our scrapes, gives us his strength so we can go on through life's toughest trials, and even took our place and our punishment for our mistakes. When I had lost all hope He found me and mended my broken life and His love for me overflowed. He saw the value of my life that no one else could see then shed His blood, my tattered life He sewed.

So if life has taken its toll on your soul remember Teddy and his love for me and how I found a greater love than I ever thought could be. We were each made to fulfill a grand destiny in the perfect plan that was written long before there was even a sea. Every day of our life was written in His book before one of them came to be.

He didn't have to leave His throne in heaven to save the likes of you and me but He did suffer and die a cruel death just to set us free. All He asks is for us to accept His love and love Him in return. His grace He gives freely without cost to all who will but believe. His Name is Jesus and He's calling you today, and somehow in a way I cannot comprehend, as I loved my Teddy, Jesus loves me as a friend.