In the book Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams the Rabbit ask the Skin Horse “What is REAL?” And the Skin Horse tells the Rabbit “It’s a thing that happens to you. “ And later during that conversation the Rabbit asks the Skin Horse “does it hurt?” And the Skin Horse replies “Sometimes, but when you are REAL you don’t mind being hurt.” And the Rabbit goes on to ask “Does it happen all at once, like being wound up, or bit by bit?” And the Skin Horse replies “It doesn’t happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time. Generally, by the time you are REAL, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are REAL you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand….and once you are REAL you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.” And the Rabbit then longed to become REAL, yet the idea of growing shabby and losing his eyes and whiskers was rather sad. He wished that he could become it without these uncomfortable things happening to him.
As a counselor I have read this book to some of my clients or played the CD and inevitably it brings tears to the person, and it brought tears to me when I saw the Play in San Francisco a few years ago. There is something about this story that touches our soul. We all long to be REAL; to be noticed, to be appreciated, to be loved. And yet, in order for that to happen, we have to be willing to take risks. Risks that at times means we will get hurt. Like the Rabbit who had to let the little boy love him until he was all worn out in order to become REAL, we have to allow others to love us. And yes, sometimes it hurts. If we live long enough we know life will bring us heartaches, disappointments and losses. But the good news is we can live with the certainty that God is with us through it all ♥
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deut. 31:8 NLT)
Written by Patty B. ♥
1 comment:
Hi Patty,
I love this story. Part of what is a problem in this world is the need for instant gratification which also includes the desire to get it with no effort on our parts or without ruffling a curl on our heads. In the same way we sometimes give little. I hope I can be a Velveteen Rabbit and proudly wear the marks of being there for others.
Blessings
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