The Love that Changes Everything

Happy Valentine’s Day!!! About a year and a half ago, I had a realization that if I could fully embrace God’s love for me, my life would dramatically change. If I could just get God’s love for me to travel from my head to my heart then my day-to-day life would look a lot different, and I’d be a lot different. Maybe even a little lighter, happier, joyful.

If I lived knowing I was loved, maybe I could get…

…free from the feelings of shame and self loathing I woke up with every morning.

…free from the constant feelings that I was missing the mark all the time (as a mom, as a wife, as a friend).

…free from the feelings that I just wasn’t enough or doing enough.

…free from the dependency of someone else’s attitude or opinion of me to know I’m ok.

…free from the need to gain someones else’s approval/likes.

…free from the need I felt to be “somebody”.

…free from the fear that if things don’t work out it’s because of a mistake I made.

And then what started to sink in is this: when I wake up in the morning, He sees me as completely innocent, beautiful, and pure regardless of what happened the day, night, or year before. He doesn’t remember my mistakes, my slip-ups with my kids or husband, or my impatient reactions. He’s forgotten them the minute they happen, and He wants me to, too!

He is so overjoyed with the creation he made in me, just as I am. Not just the pretty parts of me, but all of me. He sees and loves all of it. He loves it when I make a mistake. He doesn’t punish me for my mistakes! He gets to use it for my/His good and then His love gets to shine even brighter through the brokenness. His love is so all consuming for me, there is no need for me to look for love and approval from anyone or anywhere else. I don’t have to prove myself anymore. I am enough.

This is the kind of LOVE that changed my life (and me!). I’m not celebrating chocolate candy, red rose kind of love this Valentine’s, I’m celebrating the love that changed my life! Because God’s love changes everything. Happy Valentine’s!