While walking into Bible study Wednesday morning my sweet little sunshine gripped my hand and looked up at me. While holding my gaze he asked, “why did you pick me?” I felt my heart skip a beat as tears raced out of my eyes faster than my mouth could move to answer, “because you’re all I ever wanted.” He was curious if it was because he was so smart or such a good boy. I held his hand in both of mine and answered, “it’s not what you’ve done or what you will do, I love you and want to be with you. I delight in you.” He was satisfied with my answer and confessed his love to me, promising to never move far away and that his little brother wouldn’t either.
Photography by Ivy and Tweed
As soon as the exchange was over I was overcome with the love and gratitude of my good Father. He lavishes love on us no matter who we are or what we’ve done. We can’t earn his gracious love,but simply receive it.
Galatians 3:26-29 reminds us,
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
As I have been convicted about my tone and snap happy answers with my son I was reminded of how the Father talks to me, he is direct and firm but kind and gentle. I love the way he speaks to me. In the same way, I know what my son needs, direct and firm, kind and gentle.
If you haven’t been told today or any day, know you are loved, deeply and dearly loved. You have been picked, chosen, sought after because you belong to the King. He loves you, he loves your heart, and he longs to be with you, united, intimate, and connected. You are precious and there is nothing you can do or say that will disqualify you from the mysterious love of God. It’s yours to delight in as He delights in you.
