Beloved
We
love because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19
It’s amazing
what an adult remembers from childhood. The words that can stick and replay
more than half a century later. A psychiatrist – my Mother’s doctor – told me I’d
always have a difficult time with relationships because I didn’t have a model
of what love is. Powerful words for an already broken teen.
He was right
in so many ways. An unwanted child has no concept of what love and acceptance looks
like. But he wasn’t counting on Jesus. Maybe that psychiatrist didn’t know God’s
love.
But God
Almighty met me in that dark place and placed His Spirit inside of me. And that
made all the difference.
Was I
miraculously healed? No. Did I struggle at times? Without a doubt. I was broken
in ways that only Jesus could put back together. But He did put me back
together. I do know what love looks like – and it was nothing like my
childhood.
I have
stumbled more times than I can count. I have made countless mistakes. I have repeatedly
chosen people who said all the right things and then betrayed me because I didn’t
know that I deserved more than the crumbs of affection I was given.
But Jesus never
left me. Ever. When all the world condemned and cursed me for not being enough,
Jesus stayed by my side. He held me close. He showed me what true love looks like.
Don’t ever
settle for less than what you deserve. You are a child of God, beloved beyond
anything you could imagine. When the dark world closes in and seeks to destroy
you, hang on to Him. Jesus will never let you down.
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