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It seems that over and over again, I am reminded of how easily I take things in my life for granted. As is the nature of taking something for granted, I never realize that I am doing so, but am grateful when this folly is pointed out to me. This weekend was no exception. My reminder came in the form of a friend telling a story. He spoke about a member of his congregation that was struggling. He said that after praying for the individual, their leader gave my friend specific instructions. He said, "Go to him and say, 'The Lord loves you.'" Surprised at the simplicity of the task, my friend went forward to deliver the message. Upon doing so, the man broke down. Through his tears the man admitted, "I never knew that."
I don't know why I found this story so shocking. Of course I know there are people in the world who don't know this simple truth, I am friends with many in the same position. However, each time I remember this reality, my heart breaks a little. My knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father is something I hold dear. It's a simple, yet profound truth, and too often I forget to share the blessing of this knowledge with those around me. This is an oversight I hope to mend. Whether it be through my actions or my words, I want those around me to feel the love that Heavenly Father has for them.
God, our Heavenly Father, loves you. God, our Heavenly Father, loves everyone, but He also loves you. He doesn't just love you in some blanket universal fashion, the way He loves everyone. His love for you is infinite, intimate, and individualized. It is far too easy for us to either forget this or simply deny it. It seems impossible that He could really know everything about us and still love us.
Recently I've been pondering on what it is about me that Heavenly Father loves. Sometimes it's easy to get overwhelmed and feel like because we are imperfect, we are unloveable. Other times it is easy to look at others and see why they are lovable and why we don't compare. Sometimes we simply cannot comprehend this kind of love because it is the type of love that only a perfect being can give. I thought of some of the most goofy things about myself and realized that because God loves me, He loves even these simple little silly things. I took some of those things and compiled them into a list of reasons why Heavenly Father loves me, as an individual.
Here's my list. What's on yours?
In a world that sometimes seems to be filled with people, it is easy to feel lonely and overwhelmed. It is so easy to feel unloved, despite the infinite love we have access to when we open our hearts to the love of God. He really sincerely wants to love you. I know that as you let Him, you can feel His love because I have felt it in my life.
Oh, and if you aren't sure what would be on your list. Ask Him.
