This Extravagance
It all got started because
certain people told it to me
over and over again.
Then I learned to sing a
song about it. I finally
read it in a book for myself:
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Now many would caution not
to believe everything you read
in books and I would have
to agree. Further, some would
look down their noses at anyone
who built their life around the
lyrics of songs, especially
the ones children sing.
I can see this too.
But the fact that certain people
told me in extravagant repetitions
beyond words that Jesus loves me,
which is to say they love me?
This I have known, and still believe.
One of the last things my daddy remembered clearly was “Jesus loves me”; he would sing it to my mom when she was visiting him and then stop and say “And it is true because the Bible does say it!” The truth we learn as children stays with us . . .
I have a friend who is in a wilderness of sorts. Grew up in the midst of hard and fast religion, conformity was the name of the game. In her writhing and questioning she changed the song as she sang it to her own children:
“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Father told us so.”
I appreciated it so much! Knowing the depth is religion she came from and what the Bible no doubt was “used” for. Plus, it makes it far more personal for a child to hear it that way.
*depth of religion
Oh, yes, and this is why we must do Deuteronomy 6 with our children and with our grandchildren. Your conviction is the fruit of someone having talked to you when you were sitting in your house, when you were walking by the way. Rich heritage.
I believe! You said it so nicely.
“This I have known, and still believe.” Yes and amen !
“extravagant repetitions beyond words” THIS.
exactly. and ‘extravagant repetitions’ are what we all long for. time to sing this one with my mama, I think.