How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You

I was in the Dominican Republic on Valentines Day and my heart was drawn more than anything to the Dominicans and showing them the love of Christ for the short time I was there. On Valentines day morning I shared my testimony at a church in Santa Domingo. My deepest desire was for the people under my voice to know they are loved by God - that my testimony would be about God's faithfulness and love as a Father, accepting us just as we are.

For most of my life, I've struggled with feeling rejected. I know that I am loved, by family and friends, but in all honesty there have been many times where I questioned it. There are so many that I know struggle with the same thing, they just don't talk about it.  For years I have allowed people to tell me who they think I am, even if it totally contradicts who God says I am. The crazy thing is... I believed them!  I let their words slowly kill my self-esteem and form my identity.  I can deal with harsh words for only a short time, but these two people {a.k.a. Satan's spon} have been in my life for an extended period of time.  Years actually.  When you are around someone like that for hours each week... the things they say start to take root.

The truth is something they do not understand... and something I have so easily forgotten.  God's word is truth and it's more powerful than a double-edge sword.  He tells me I am loved!  I am His daughter, His beloved, and His bride.  There's a sweet peace in knowing that I am adopted into the family of God and He loves me unconditionally.  Just as I am.  THAT makes me one happy girl!

This scripture came to my mind and I shared it on Valentines Day because it reminds me that I am loved by God and He is my Father.  Despite all the rejection we face in this world, there is one who accepts us just as we are.

Romans 8:15-17

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."