Favourite Things
by Malcolm Wood
‘Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with string’ - so starts the song which Maria, the governess, sings to the children under her care in the film ‘The Sound of Music’, when she is encouraging them to think of their favourite things.
We all have ‘favourite things’, significant items which bring us pleasure to look at, to handle or use. It may be a photograph or heirloom which reminds us of a loved one, or a trophy, medal or certificate reminding us of previous successes. It could be a stamp collection, a set of china or piece of furniture, or things we’ve received at important times in our lives like a ring, bracelet, or watch. Perhaps it’s the things we see around us, trees, flowers, birds or our pets. Maybe it’s the sounds we hear, music we listen to, or books we read.
Some of the things we value more highly than others may have no monetary value, but they are, nevertheless, priceless to us. Because of what they mean to us we preserve and take care of them, putting them in a special display box or case.
Consider what has been done down through the ages in terms of human endeavour to preserve the Bible, God’s word, as it is today. In the past people have undergone hardship, torture, sacrifice and bloodshed to make it available to us all. It ought to be top of the list of our favourite possessions.
The bible tells us that God considers us His choice possession (James 1:18). Elsewhere in Scripture there are references to God’s people, Israel, (and we, through faith in Jesus) being His special possession (Deuteronomy 7:6, 26:18, and 1 Peter 2:9).
Other scriptures emphasise how much God cares about us. In Ephesians 2:10 we are referred to as His ‘handiwork’ or ‘masterpiece’, and we all know how much we value something we have made ourselves. God is the same. Another description of how God looks upon those He regards as His ‘valued possession’ is, ‘the apple of his eye’ (Deuteronomy 32:10). This refers to the most sensitive part of the eye, the pupil, the part which enables the eye to focus. The meaning here is that we are always the centre of His focus and protection.
Although our favourite items may not have any monetary value, we, as God’s special possession, have been paid for with the precious blood of Jesus. This is so we can come into a special relationship with God, our heavenly Father, as His beloved son or daughter. And He wants us to enjoy this relationship more and more each day.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for dying on the cross to enable me to become a child of God, a choice possession and the apple of my Father’s eye. Please help me to value this relationship more and more each day. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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