For some reason, whenever I hear the word “cherish”, I think of this song:

Cherish the love…cherish the life…but love will stand the test of time…lalalala. Probably has something to do with my love of all things 80′s (yes, even high hair! I LOVE it :0)!) Too bad she turns back into a mermaid at the end. True love between humans and fish would never work…

Today’s “Five Minute Friday” prompt  as if you have not guessed is…CHERISH. Set a timer for five minutes and then WRITE…whatever comes to mind when you consider the word “cherish”. Sound cool, amazing, awesome? It is. Join LisaJo Baker and her fabulous posse…

Ready. GO!

Apart from a few songs in my past, I guess I do not give much thought to this word cherish. By definition it means “to keep fondly in mind and treat with affection and tenderness expressing gentle emotions”. I know I cherish the heck out of my hubby and kids; extended family and friends as well :0). But the deeper reality is that:

*I* AM CHERISHED.

Every day, every moment, every SECOND, I AM cherished by God. Bought with the price of His Son’s life, I was brought into the presence of a merciful God to be cherished…treated with affection and gentleness, and when He thinks of me it, is with fondness.

Do i really “get that”??? Not on most days. 

Most days I am busy with life and I tend to be overly critical and terribly disappointed in His “cherished creation” {that being me} because I dwell far to much on the negative. I see my heart and know I am capable of envy, pride, jealousy, etc.

BUT If the God of wonders created me and then cherishes His creation, why don’t I? Why the relentless pursuit of “fixing”? Why the struggle to see the positive in myself??? Not in the narcissistic ”all about me” kind of way {though I SOOOO know I go there}. But in the “since I am so loved and acceptable and worthy of being cherished because of Jesus, I am more than acceptable” kind of way. He would not cherish just anything!

I rock…because of HIM!

THIS is boasting in HIS willingness to cherish His creation. It is important for us {me} to make the choice to concentrate on our positive qualities {there are some of those in EVERYONE}. He would not have

STOP

died and rose again for a people He did not hold dear to His heart.

Do you KNOW you are cherished? Give thanks to Him today and ask Him to help you accept that truth and live it daily!