Were you born in a barn?

I've always liked barns...maybe because I never had to clean one or stock it with hay. I have a very good friend with one. She still likes barns. It's her dream to travel the country some day taking photographs of barns along the way. I hope she does it. In looking through some very talented artists/bloggers work I was inspired to bring out a barn I painted awhile back. It's nothing special. It was actually one of my first paintings. I'm sure I've violated some copyright law by painting/posting it. At the time it was on the "Eggland's Best" website. They've since removed it. Some of you researchers may look it up and let me know what has become of the image and how I've violated it somehow.

What hit me as I was preparing to post it was that phrase, "Were you born in a barn?" I couldn't help but think of One who basically WAS born in a barn - a stable. Of all the places to be born. It gives me incredible comfort to know that my Savior was born in a barn. He, of all, knows stench...and He can take it. Man we stink sometimes, don't we? Never what we should be, would like to be, or could be. Falling short, turning our backs. Well, stinky! I like what Sarah Young says in her devotional book, Jesus Calling. "I love you regardless of how well you are performing. Sometimes you feel uneasy, wondering if you are doing enough to be worthy of My Love. No matter how exemplary your behavior, the answer to that question will always be no. Your performance and My Love are totally different issues, which you need to sort out. I love you with an everlasting love."

Kinda makes barns more appealing, a place where you can be real and know that the stench gets washed away afresh by the One who is strong enough to take it, and loves you despite it.