I remember tucking my daughter in bed one night, as I always did when she was little. She was wearing her Cinderella princess night-gown, and her favorite stuffed animals, Sheepy and Lamby, were securely nestled in her arms. She was chatting up a storm (as usual), and her eyes were sparking with joy and excitement as she shared whatever thoughts were going through her mind. I can still hear her little lisp, which was no match for her insatiable need to communicate all the things, all the time.
I was gently stroking her hair when I suddenly became overwhelmed by my love for her. I had a moment of awe and I just couldn’t believe she was mine. I told the Lord in my heart, “Look at her! She’s so precious!” To which He immediately responded in my spirit, “I know! I made her!”
Her bedroom became holy ground as I shared this incredibly intimate moment with the Lord. A moment in which the God of the universe and I connected over our mutual love for my daughter, His daughter. A moment in which He reminded me once more just how valuable she is, because He made her. A moment in which I felt the honor and responsibility that comes with caring for one of God’s children. And the moment I realized that as much as I love her, He loves her more than I do. I felt it.
My daughter is fourteen years old now, and I’ve shared this story with her multiple times. I realize that hearing about God’s love for her is not the same as experiencing it for herself, but this message is a seed that I’ve planted in her heart, and I make sure to water it often.
Of course my prayer is that she’s able to feel God’s love with the same intensity I felt His love for her that night. I pray she feels secure in knowing that she is unconditionally loved by her Heavenly Father. And I pray that she understands her infinite value, so that she can expect and receive the respect she deserves in her relationships with family, friends, and eventually her husband.
Sweet friend, your children are precious in the eyes of the Lord. Regardless of whatever stage they’re going through right now (good or bad), they are perfectly and unconditionally loved by their Heavenly Father. There is nothing they can do to make Him love them more, and nothing they can do to make Him love them less. And may I remind you, the same is true for you. I pray you receive and rest in that truth.
Your turn!
- Talk to your kids about God’s love for them.
- Think of a scripture or a story you can share with them about God’s unconditional love.
- Think of ways you can model God’s love to them.
- Share with your kids in what ways understanding God’s love for you has impacted your life.
