Friend, You Are Loved

Have you ever wondered, “Am I loved?”

If you have, you’re not alone.

Ask the homeless man in the park, or the kid in school who just doesn’t “fit in.”

Ask the woman who was recently served divorce papers, or the young girl whose innocence was just stripped from her.

Ask the one who was told this week, “I no longer love you,” or the teenage child who never felt love growing up at home.

To be loved, society tells us we need to look a certain way, be a certain size, behave in a certain manner.

We should do this or that, or not do this or that, or do what everyone else is doing.

Or we’re expected to earn love, and jump through hoops to keep it.

It’s no wonder many in this world are walking around feeling unloved and unwanted.

And it’s no wonder some just quit trying to find the love they’re desperately desiring.

Maybe you can relate. Maybe you’re finding yourself in that very place today, or you know someone who is walking that lonely path.

My heart is with you, friend.

I may not know your situation, or what has caused you to feel unloved. I may not fully understand your circumstances, and I might not be able to offer you a hand or a hug today, like I wish I could. (I’m sending a virtual one to you, though.)

But, there is One who does understand. God understands it all.

I was reminded last week of a particular time in my life when I felt extremely unloved. Those were lonely, and disheartening days. It seemed no matter how much I tried, the love I desired, I couldn’t attain.

Little did I know then, the love I longed for wasn’t going to be found in any man. It wasn’t going to be found in anything I could do. A friend pointed me to the truth that the love I desired was already with me.

We have experienced and we have entrusted our lives to the love of God in us. God is love. Anyone who lives faithfully in love also lives faithfully in God, and God lives in him. 1 John 4:16

I slowly began to believe God loved me. It didn’t happen overnight, but day by day, I started looking for the many ways God was showing His love to me. After all, wouldn’t He love what and who He created? (See You Are Wonderfully Made.) That exercise caused me to see God–and His love–in everything.

You are loved, too, friend. You are loved by God.

We can stop the striving, the jumping through hoops, the thinking we have to earn His love.

There’s nothing you can do to make Him love you more. There’s nothing you can do to make Him love you less. He loves you. Period.

But don’t take my word for it, take God’s:

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

You are loved. Really, and truly loved.

Let this truth soak deep within your soul.

You’re loved by me, too, friend. Thanks for sharing a few minutes of your day with me!

Blessings,

Julie

 

 
It’s Day 5 of 31 Days #CelebratingWhoYouAre. Is there someone in your life who could use the reminder that he/she is loved? Pass this truth on as you life it out in your life today.