Mary received a ceramic frog for her birthday from a co-worker, and she displayed it on her desk for all to see. Some of her fellow employees began to think she must like frogs, so they started to give her frog items for Christmas, birthdays, and special celebrations. Her office soon became filled with “all things frog”—pens, candles, stickie notes, posters, coffee cups.
Mary’s co-workers found something unique about her. In fact, because Mary seemed to have a distinct taste, it was easy to shop for her. Sometimes Mary received frog items on Monday because friends at work saw little gifts over the weekend they thought she might like.
Mary was always flattered because people seemed to like to give her little gifts now and then. Those she worked with liked the fact that they could do something for Mary that had meaning, something that broke up the monotony of the daily work week.
After Mary left the company, a friend asked her what she did with all the frog items. She replied, “Well, I don’t really like frogs, so I gave them all away!”
Others mean well, yet don’t always know us well. Deep down, we all longed to be known. That is from God, but as well intentioned some are, the simple fact is they’ll never know us as God does. When our hearts only seek understanding from others, we often will be left disappointed. Our hearts were designed for God! We are an open book to Him—there is nothing about us that is hidden from Him. Psalm 139 tells us:
• God knows everything we do (v.2). He knows all the activities of our day and every detail of our schedule.
• God knows everything we think (v.2)—the good and the bad, the wholesome, and the impure.
• God knows everywhere we go—“You comprehend my path . . . and are acquainted with all my ways” (v.3).
• God knows everything we say (v.4).
He knows us better than we know ourselves. Isn’t it a comfort to be known so intimately by our Lord—even with all our flaws—and yet be loved so completely!
—Anne Cetas
Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
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