beloved

you and i, we must claim the truth, the same truth that Jesus Christ claimed about himself-

we are the beloved sons and daughters of God.

almost 2 years ago, i read a powerful book by henri nouwen called "Life of the Beloved". i am so thankful that a friend had introduced me to the book several months prior to me reading it. she briefly mentioned it in an email, not knowing that while she was going through her own struggles thousands of miles away, i was entering a deep and heavy depression.

i read the book a few months later. it helped me to cry. it taught me that i am loved by the Everlasting Love of God the Father. i am loved by the First Love. i have value simply because i am a daughter of God.

i rooted deep in my heart these truths:

i am loved.

i am beautiful.

there is no one else like me.

i am not defined by what i do.

i am not defined by what others think of me.

i can have a messy room full of art

and still be loved by the First Creator,

despite what uptight parents say.

i can tattoo myself with

"love washes over all"

and remember the truth

of a never-ending friendship.

i have been struggling again with self-identity.

not near as much as i did 2 years ago, but recent family events have really shaken me.

henri nouwen speaks, "the people who are closest to us often hurt us most."

how i wish this was not a reality in my life, but it is.

"we must accept our brokenness."

so i am working on that...

accepting my own brokenness,

while acknowledging the brokenness of others.

finding joy in planning for my upcoming marriage to a wonderful man of God.

looking heavenward with hope for a transformation of hearts sometime in my life.

henri nouwen speaks,

"every time i have a temptation to be bitter, to feel rejected, to lashy out, i can go back and say,

'i am a beloved daughter of God.'

the rejection is a way to reclaim the truth of my belovedness more fully."