“I have called you by name, from the very beginning.

You are mine and I am yours.

You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests.

I have molded you together in your mother’s womb.

I have carved you in the palms of my hands and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace.

I look at you with infinite tenderness and care for you with a care more intimate than that of a mother for her child.

I have counted every hair on your head and guided you at every step.

Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch.

I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger and drink that will quench all your thirst.

I will not hide my face from you.

You know me as you own as I know you as my own. 

You belong to me.

I am your father, your mother, your brother, your sister, your lover and your spouse…even your child… wherever you are I will be.

Nothing will ever separate us.

We are one.”

I needed to hear this today. Probably yesterday and perhaps, again tomorrow. It is all too easy for me to forget just how much I am loved. What about you? Is it hard at times to see yourself as the object of God’s love? I found these words in Henri Nouwen’s book Life of The Beloved. He also wrote, “We are intimately loved long before our parents, teachers, spouses, children and friends loved or wounded us.”

How would it change our day if we got up and allowed these words to sink into our heart?  We are known, warts and all, and loved anyway. We are watched over, every step of our day, every moment of our day. Accompanied by the God of the universe, who holds all things in His hands.  All of our need satisfied by Him, and never, never, never will he abandon us. Even if we look away from Him, He won’t look away from us.

It might mean that whatever others said, whatever the doctor said, whatever the bank statement said, whatever the news said, or the voices in our head that would trash talk us, that God says differently. He says, I am with you. I am here for You. Whatever the future holds, whatever this day holds, you are not alone, we will face it together and I will care for you. You are my beloved.

I can scarce take it in. I am Your beloved. I don’t understand that kind of love but I want to be open to receive it. Help me to still the voices that would tell me otherwise so I can hear Your voice whisper to me of Your love. Help me to remember that You are with me, whatever comes my way, You are already there to care and provide for me. Thank You, Father. Amen.

pic credit: believetrust.com