We happened upon this gem in a bag of hand me down books we go this week. We already have what we lovingly refer to as the "bee bo" book, you know the one of about the hippos that go around in tiny bathing suits, hoping someone will notice their belly buttons?Anyway, I love this new one! My favorite line in the whole book is "I love what you are." I have been singing the song for two days straight to my boys, because, well, I love what they are.
And I want that truth to sink deep, deep, deep down into the recesses of their beings. I love them because they are Forrest and Elliot, not because of anything they do. We don't tell them they are good boys when they do something we like, because they are always good boys. Good because God made them that way. Oh, don't misunderstand me, we also lovingly refer to them as the little heathen in our home because they don't yet know Christ. We pray daily that they will come to know Him at a young age. But they are fearfully and wonderfully made, not because of what they do, but because of what they are, amazingly given to us for just a moment in time, to raise up into God's men.
I want them to understand that we love them because of what they are, and that is the same way God feels. He loves what we are. His creation. And He loved us like that while we hated Him, I think the term is even while we were enemies of Him.
Oh, how I hope they will get this all. And meanwhile, I will keep singing, "ooooooo snuggle puppy of mine, everything about you is especially fine!" Even if Forrest keeps telling me, "I don't like that song!"
Too bad snuggle puppy, because mama does!
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Evan has heard that book since the first week he was born. Isn't it great??? Hannah can even quote it to him when he's crabby in the backseat and he chills right out.
ReplyDeleteI too want the same for my kids. For them to know Christ and their dad and I love them becaue that's who God made them to be.
We LOVE this book!!!! We sing this song before every nap and bedtime. In fact, Eli knows all the words. . . it is the only song he sings along with. We have the CD with the song. You might be able to download the actual song from her website. If not, let me know and I will hook you up. She is, by far, my favorite cardboard book author. Is that a literary category, by the way?!?
ReplyDeleteI also absolutely love this one! It's especially fun when you accompany it with hugs and kisses and tickles.
ReplyDeleteHmm. I think I might need to snag that from the other house and bring it here.
Have you read But Not The Hippopotamus by the same author? HI-larious!
We love this book too. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this song! Cute post. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is new to me! I'll have to see if the library has it!
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