A HEART Of LOVE

Everlasting Love

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Little did Marcella Gruelle know a handmade doll she’d found in the attic would become an American classic, spanning more than a century. Marcella showed her find to her dad, John, who drew a smile on the red-headed toy that had once belonged to his grandmother.

John created a name for Marcella’s newest doll by combining the title of two poems—“The Raggedy Man” and “Little Orphant Annie.” Thus, Raggedy Ann was born.

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Marcella, who rescued Raggedy Ann from the attic, sadly passed away at age 14 from a contaminated needle delivering a smallpox vaccine. To honor his daughter, John, an artist and author, wrote children’s books with Marcella as the main character. He chose to include her “mop-headed rag doll.” He believed children’s books should contain kindness, moral virtues. Through Raggedy Ann, he said,

“And you and anyone else can print the same magic words, I LOVE YOU, upon your hearts if you wish.”

To help book sales, John created a Raggedy Ann doll and placed it in a store window beside his book. Public demand for the doll skyrocketed, leading to its commercial production. From 1915 until today, Raggedy Ann has undergone few changes. Notably, the words “I love you,” which were sown onto a cardboard heart, are now painted on her chest. However, John Gruelle’s inspiring messages in his books and rag dolls have endured.

While many dolls, cars, clothing styles, etc., achieve “classic” status, one book has eclipsed time and continually extols “I LOVE YOU” from one cover to the other. In fact, every believer has found these words imprinted on their hearts. The author and central figure existed before time began, came to Earth to offer Himself as a spotless sacrifice—to write I LOVE YOU on our hearts with His blood. He rose again, ascended, and will soon return to make good on His promise (where I am, you will be forevermore. John 14:3).

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If you’ve never read this classic book, The Bible, please open this free, life-changing Valentine gift. Begin with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—all eye witness accounts filled with the Good News about Jesus. Let His love do in you what He says He’ll do.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10b, NKJV)

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