Have you ever been the new kid on the block or the new kid at school? It can be very difficult for some kids. And, we all want to fit in and be accepted. I know I sure went through it when my family moved across town in the summer before I started 8th grade. I was very shy and it was not easy for me to make friends or feel comfortable with a new school and environment. It was actually pretty terrifying for me. But I'm getting ahead of myself a bit.
My Family Zoo story today is about our orange Pomeranian- Sassy and a new puppy we brought home that we named Casey. If you haven't read the story in the Family Zoo section called Small Package Big Personality ( It's about Sassy) you may want to go back and read it first. It gives you a little background on Sassy and her personality.
We had Sassy quite a while when we decided to bring home another Pomeranian. We weren't at all sure how Sassy would react to the new puppy. (Casey) After all he would be invading her territory, her home.
Not only that, he was a furry ball of energy!
When we first brought Casey home, Sassy did not seem too thrilled and for the most part ignored him. After all, who did he think he was coming into her home and trying to take over. And, jumping around all over her - how dare him. We weren't sure how this would all turn out. Not too long after we brought him home, we saw something that we were not expecting. Sassy had gone and gotten her favorite toy bone went up to Casey and laid the toy bone at Casey's feet! This was her way of saying, I accept you and welcome to our house. We were happy and relieved. After that they were very good friends.
Now back to being the new kid on the block - I know for some adjusting to a move or new school is no big deal. But for others (like myself) it can be terrifying and very hard. And, all of us need to feel accepted and especially when we are kids. It's nice when another kid makes a move to make us feel welcomed.
There is one thing I know and that is that even as adults we need to feel accepted and wanted. With God we are not only wanted and accepted we are loved. 1 John 4:19 " We love Him because He first loved us." He wants us to come to Him- he is waiting for us. He chose us -John 15:16 "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you..." I know a lot of us feel that we need to do some changing before we can go to Him, but really the opposite is true. He wants us to come to Him now just as we are and He will help us with the changes, we can't do it by ourselves. Isaiah 41:13 "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand saying unto you fear not I will help you." Psalm 55:16 " As for me, I will call upon God: and the Lord shall save me."
Doesn't it feel wonderful to know that we are loved, accepted and wanted by God?!
God wants good things for us: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I have toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." I have listed a couple of other verses below that I love.
Matthew 11:28 "Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
(Jeremiah 31:3 tells us He loves us with an "everlasting love.")
With God we are loved and accepted and we fit in.