The Not So Well Loved Ducky

I found this little ducky in the Target parking lot today and had to take a picture.  It’s dirty, beat up, abandoned, and forgotten.  It was left alone in a dangerous place where it could easily be run over, crushed, or injured.  Through all the dirt and imperfections is a cute little ducky with hearts all over it.  A remnant of innocence and love. 
 
It reminds me of the condition we find ourselves in when we first come to know Christ.  We are dirty, beat up, often times abandoned and forgotten.  We’re in danger and hurt, but under it all Christ finds a remnant of good.  His forgiveness comes and covers all our imperfections.  He cleans us up.  He heals our wounds.  He renews, restores, and redeems us. 
 
The world’s version of love leaves us scarred and longing for more, but the true love of God takes our dirty beat up heart and purifies it, makes it fit to receive and give true love.  What does that true love look like?

 
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.  Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.
 
1 Corinthians 13:4-8