Life Out of the Box

I present to you Batgirl Barbie, NRFB (never removed from box). I was well past my Barbie-playing days when Mattel produced Batgirl Barbie almost a decade ago, but if she had been available in the 1970s, I am certain she would have made her way onto my "Toys to Beg For" list.  I mean, just check out those boots and gloves, and, according to the description I found on an online auction site, her entire fabulous costume is trimmed in blue glitter--blue glitter! She also comes with a cool, color-coordinated batcycle and a batarang.

Despite being outfitted for style and adventure, this particular Batgirl Barbie never did any crime-fighting. She's never even met Ken or Skipper and has never seen the inside of the Barbie Townhouse. Everything about her has been carefully preserved for…well, I'm not sure exactly. She's selling for over $100.00 on some sites, but the sole source of her value is that she's never been removed from her box. To maintain her value to collectors, she'll have to remain perfectly packaged and perpetually poised in her current position (which looks terribly uncomfortable, by the way).

Pictured at right is Theodore J. Bear (Teddy). He was in my crib when I came home from the hospital more than four decades ago. I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture, but most of his fur is missing. He's been stitched and re-stitched and his nose and mouth have been worn away. He spent much of his early life being dragged around by the ear and was probably drooled on a little. He was also cried on, flung around, and frequently squeezed with all the might a little girl could muster. He's been attacked by dogs and cats and has been wedged between the wall and the mattress more times than I can count. He is the antitheses of NRFB.

However, when I look at Teddy, I don't see a raggedy stuffed animal past his prime. I see a well-loved toy that has had loads of adventures. Teddy has been a faithful friend, night watchman, dance partner, and stuntman. He has attended numerous tea parties and knows secrets even I have forgotten. Long after I outgrew toys, Teddy sat perched on my bed, and for years I frequently tucked him into my suitcase when I traveled. He was given an honorary position in my son's crib eleven years ago, and as recently as 2007, accompanied Zack to Kindergarten for stuffed animal day. He's retired now, but he still makes me smile every time I look at him.

I am sorry to say I have lived too much of my life like Batgirl Barbie. Too often, my top priority has been self-preservation, and I have frequently closed myself in to avoid getting hurt, broken, or marred by failure. I have wasted time and energy holding myself "just so" in order to project an image of perfection. In doing so, I have neglected to use the cool stuff my Creator equipped me with and missed out on untold adventures.

If you were a toy, would you want to be the well-worn, well-loved adventurer or the toy that was never removed from its box? If you were a toy-maker, what sort of "life" would you want for your creation?

"The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?" -Psalm 27:1