Today’s post is a real treat from a lifelong friend of our family, Susan Waldrip Taylor. Susan posted a little blurb of this story on Facebook last week and it brought tears to my eyes! I immediately asked her if she would elaborate on it and share it with all of you. I knew it was a “keeper”…one that needed to be passed around as a Christmas favorite, and told year after year. I hope you will love it as much as I have, find the real treasure in it and then pass it on to your friends and family. Thank you Susan!
One of my favorite Christmas memories from childhood is when I really wanted one of the new Ken dolls to add to my Barbie collection. They were in big demand and difficult to find in stores, but my Mom (Joan Waldrip) finally found one at the Value Plus Drug Store that used to be located on the north side of Bloomington, Indiana.
She wrapped it in pretty Christmas paper with shiny bows and ribbons and placed it under the tree from Santa to me.
On Christmas morn I opened my gift and squealed with delight at my new Ken! However, I quickly discovered he was different than those marketed to us young girls on all the slick television and magazine advertisements.
My brand new, handsome Ken doll had somehow made it through Quality Control with two left arms, making it so one of his hand’s thumb pointed up and the other pointed down!
Mom felt badly and wanted to take Ken back to the store and exchange him, but I begged her not to.
I loved him even though he was “defective”. He was mine…defects and all. He needed me. I just knew my Barbie already loved him too. I worried what would happen to him if he went back to the store.
To me, my Ken doll was perfect just the way he was. In fact, he was even more special.
Looking back, I realize I have always had a soft spot for those who were less fortunate, had problems, or were considered the Underdog.
Perhaps my young experience with my special Ken doll instilled in me this characteristic. Maybe that quality helped me to be more compassionate to others and more empathetic in my ministry to Singles.
I still have Ken to this day, tucked away in a bin in my basement, and just can’t bear the thought of giving up on him.
In comparison, I see that I have many “defects” as well. I fall short in many areas and often feel I don’t measure up.
Thankfully, as I saw past my Ken doll’s shortcomings and loved him regardless, so too my Heavenly Father looks past my faults and keeps on loving me. God is forever holding on to me and not letting go. He holds tightly to my hand no matter which way it turns – whether I’m up or whether I’m down.
I loved that Ken doll in spite of his problems, even with him being different and perhaps looked down on by other kids, I still treasured him.
Do you ever question your own worth or God’s love for you?
Consider the scripture from Deuteronomy 7:6. NLT, “For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.”
God loves you despite your “defects”, because you are His treasure!
Susan Waldrip Taylor is a lifelong resident of Bloomington, Indiana, other than a short time that she lived in Tucson, Arizona in the seventh grade.
She was so blessed to have two awesome parents, Bill and Joan Waldrip, who taught by example how to love, be faithful to God, and have a servant’s heart.
Susan was also blessed with one daughter, Megan Malone, who has an extraordinary testimony of God’s healing power.
She has always tried to devote her time and talents to Kingdom work including, Sunday School Teacher, Super Church Team, Web Designer, Drama Director, Set Design, Decorator, Special Events, and whatever else is asked of her. “I try never to say ‘no’ to God, I’m just following in my parents’ footsteps.” Her dad, Bill Waldrip, passed away in 2008 and although he wore a very small shoe size, he left BIG shoes to fill.
Steve and Susan have been married for nine years after both suffering the devastation of divorce and living the single life for 18 1/2 years. Susan had been involved in Singles Ministry since 1990 and now she and Steve together are the Singles Ministers at their church, Family Life & Worship Center, Bloomington. Susan is also the Indiana District UPCI Singles Director with the help of both Steve and Megan.
“I give God glory for His protective hand and for all He has done in my life. Without Him I am nothing.”
Sharing with Women Helping Women, Teach Me Tuesdays, Titus 2sdays, Counting our Blessings, UNITE, The Gathering Spot, Testimony Tuesday, Modest Mondays, Wedded Wednesday, A Little R & R, Women Helping Women, Wise Woman Builds, Winsome Wednesdays, Walking Redeemed, Encouraging One Another, Homemaking Link up, Whimsical Wednesdays, Wholehearted Wednesdays
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Thank you Judith! So happy you stopped by and took the time to comment. Forgive my delay in responding. I appreciate each one that drops in! Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much for sharing this stirring story. I forgot about everything as it just took me in as I read.
Just love. love. love. The spiritual gift book by Don and Katie Fortune describe that as the compassion gift. A blessing seeing it work so beautifully!
Oh what a beautiful story. I very much enjoyed this and so glad Nannette had you share here. I’d love for you to share with Three Word Wednesday. All you need is to begin with three words…”The Christmas Story.”
Visiting from Word Filled Wednesday and so glad I stopped in.
Blessings to both of you.
Beth
I am thankful to have stopped by here to read this for we all need to see clearly that we are not perfect yet our God loves us dearly. A great story of you, this child, who will keep Ken as he is and that is how God calls us…as we are.
Thanks for linking with Woman to Woman’s Word Filled Wednesday. God bless!
What an absolutely sweet story. And the fact that God holds on to us- never giving up on us- is such a wonderful truth to remember. Thank you for sharing! Visiting from DYWW:)
that is just so sweet! I loved your story about the Ken doll. precious that you didn’t want to return him. 🙂
Hello Anna Lee! So happy you stopped by and took the time to share your story. Isn’t it beautiful how the Lord can fill that longing in our soul! The love that HE gives no one, NO ONE, can take it away from us, no matter the circumstance!! Engraved you on the palms of my hands…beautiful!! Blessings on you dear friend in this most blessed season! Don’t be a stranger around here ♥
I love this, Susan! It also reminds me of the Velveteen Rabbit story that emphasizes loving others–warts (or two left arms) and all! Such a sweet and meaningful metaphor, my friend. And thanks to Nannette for sharing your story and encouragement here today!
Praise God! I’m going to keep this bookmarked.
How selfless, how generous, how perfect, gracious, compassionate and TRUE our God’s love is for us! The verse in Isaiah 49 is brought to mind, one that has always overwhelmed me with tears for God’s love for me, for us:
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” (vs 16)
How many times have my walls been in ruins? No matter if they are standing tall or in total devastation, God sees them, knows us, and yearns to walk with us no matter what. Ah, He feels WITH us! How precious we are in His sight! I’m getting teary-eyed just thinking about it.
When I got out of a serious relationship almost a year ago, I was completely devastated. I felt that no one could ever know me so closely, so deeply; I thought God had abandoned me- that everything I did made me unreachable in His eyes. What lies!! Through this time being single, Christ has continually fulfilled that huge void for a true, intimate love in a way that I didn’t even fathom was possible; He’s given me rest, peace, a sober mind, and a heart that has no fear of my future- no matter if it ever includes a husband. How good it is to fall ever more deeply in love with Christ! Thank you for this reminder.
What a beautiful story. How glad I am that God has accepted me with all my “backwards thumbs” too. Thanks for sharing Susan and Nannette!
Dear Nannette
You were right, dear friend, Susan and her mom has stolen my heart. As I was reading these words about the one thumb sticking up, I giggled when I thought that it was his way of letting her know that he was giving her the thumbs-up sign because he was happy to be part of her Barbie family!