In the Dailies

How do you know you’re special? How do you know God loves you?

Too often I hear or people who claim confidence in God’s love because of their material blessings. They think God loves them more than the next person because they have good jobs and a happy life. They had sunshine on their wedding while others (like me) get a blizzard.

Even worse, I hear some claim God doesn’t love them, because if He did, then they would have more: more obedient kids, more vacation time, more clothes, more options. They would have better health, a better-looking spouse, better neighbors and a better house.

Is conviction of God’s love contingent upon what we see? What we have or don’t have? Where do you find confidence in His affections for you?

This weekend Rick brought home flowers, a gorgeous bouquet for me and a smaller, color-coordinated one for Ellie. I, of course, was touched, but Ellie’s reaction was priceless. She jumped up and down and yelled and hugged everyone. She simply couldn’t believe how much her daddy loved her. I mean, he brought her pink and purple flowers! Her favorite things in her favorite colors.

What caught my attention, though, was not her adoration of the flowers, but rather her focus on him. After making him a “thank you” picture, she bounced around the house, excitedly proclaiming this:

“I’m super special because I have my daddy!
I’m special because I love him!
I’m special because I made him this picture!
I’m special because he gave me FOUR kisses!”

We are special not because of what God gives us (even though He gives us A LOT!! Hello, people? Remember when He gave us His Son to die for our sins?) or who we are. Rather, it’s about who He is. We are special because we have Him. He has us and we have Him. That’s what makes us special.

We are super special because He loves us and gives Himself to us every day! Are we accepting Him?

We are special because we have the opportunity to love Him back! Are we?

We are special because we can do things that make Him happy! Are we painting “thank you” pictures with our lives? How are we giving back to Him?

Ellie’s heart overflowed with pride at the four kisses she received from her daddy. How many kisses has God given you today?

Anyone watch Ni Hao, Kai Lan? It’s a show for preschoolers on NickJr., kind of like Dora except with Mandarin Chinese instead of Spanish. At the beginning of each show, Kai Lan wakes the sun with a tickle. The sun then burst into a thousand little sun bubbles that go bouncing all around Kai Lan and her friends. That’s how I see God’s love. It’s there first thing in the morning, tickling and bouncing and flooding over us in a thousand delightful kisses.

So, tell me: what makes you special?