You are precious. When was the last time someone told you this? Personally, I think the last time someone referred to me this way, I was too young to remember. But you will always be precious. You bring joy, and are immensely delighted in by God.
In my time nannying for the past month, I have found the glories of a child’s “cuteness” to be absolutely overwhelming. I mean, when this little girl squints her eyes in a scrunchy smile … automatic heart melt. When she vigorously shakes her head “no” because I laugh every single time … I collapse into a puddle of love. When she reaches out her tiny arms to be held … I just have to give that baby a squeeze. Her little mannerisms, curiosity, beautiful face (and adorable outfits), and joy warm my heart with more love than she will probably ever comprehend. She is precious to me because she brings joy by simply existing.
It wasn’t until I read “Time for God” recently that I began to understand the importance of allowing ourselves to be loved by God. Within his writing, Jacques Philippe brought me back to the idea of childlike faith so many refer to, but I truthfully never quite understood. He said, “Let God have the joy of loving us”(pg. 54).
Let God have the JOY of loving us. I have heard from so many that the Father only requires us to come into prayer, that He loves us beyond our imagination, and that we need not perform for Him, but never have I more clearly understood the reality of JOY present when we allow ourselves to be delighted in and loved. Why is this reality different for me now? Well, through the eyes of a child, I have seen first-hand the way being loved affects life. When a child is smothered in love because she simply exists, she is filled with joy. She gravitates to the people she feels loved by when she is happy, scared, sad, or content. She knows she is precious and lives differently.
Yet somehow, as we experience the difficulties of life, we forget how to be delighted in. We forget that we are a gift. We forget we are irreplaceable and precious to Our Lord. So may I be the first to say, YOU are precious. God longs for you to experience His love. Whether we believe this reality of our innate worth to be true, or we struggle to accept love in our daily lives, God waits for each of us to turn to Him and receive His love. The Lord is simply waiting for you to lift your arms so He can smother you in His love. In case you were wondering, yes it is in fact that simple. No magic words or specific reason is required, all you need to do is ask to be loved. This can be as simple as invoking the Holy Spirit, saying the name of Jesus, and asking the Father to reveal His love to you more clearly today. He is not too busy for you, and your ask is not too big. Why? Because you are PRECIOUS in His eyes.
All my love and Prayers,
Monica +JMJ+
RESOURCES:
Time for God by Jacques Philippe
