You are Loved

"God," she softly requested as she smiled, closed her eyes and snuggled in closer to me.  It doesn't matter which lullaby I try to add to our nightly routine, my baby always interrupts me and wants me to sing "I am a Child of God."  Even as a one year old she can sense the truth of this song and she loves it.  The message, which inherently implies her infinite worth, is being imprinted on her heart and soul. 

Children all over the world are taught this beloved LDS children's song from the time they are babies.  I, myself, sang it in California, in Germany and in England.  For one of my babies, I made sure this was the very first song I sang to him, right after he was born.  I wanted this message to guide his life. 

As our teacher  pointed out last week in Relief Society (our women's meeting at church), after our children are taught about their divine heritage, we continue with our teenage girls who recite every Sunday: "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us, and we love him." 

Then as grown women, we also have a declaration which begins: "We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction."

This knowledge of who we truly are should influence every aspect of our lives.  It should first and foremost let us know that we are loved-unconditionally loved-simply by being His child. It should remind us that we matter, that even when we feel unloved or unlovable, there is someone who loves us, deeply and perfectly and cares about our joys and our sorrows.   He walks beside us and when we trip and fall He is there to pick us up again if we are willing to grab hold of His hand. 

How I wish everyone could feel God's love for them in a deep and personal way.  How I hope my children will learn to feel His love and that it will guide their actions and their lives.

As my aunt wrote recently to her son on a mission:  "for many people, holidays can be a reminder of what they DON’T have," while reminding him that this can be an opportunity to share God's true love for each of us with his children.  Turn off the commercials on the radio, on the TV and avoid social media if you have to this Valentines Day.  Let's ignore the voices that tell us what our husband or boyfriend is supposed to be buying for us, let's silence the commercialism of presents they tell us to buy for our children and instead of letting the world tell you what you're missing out on this holiday, take a moment to be still and ask God to fill you with His true love, that you are His child and you matter.  And then take that love and help someone else feel it, too.  Someone that might need a reminder even more than you.  And while you're at it, don't forget to love yourself, too.  Always be kind to yourself.  You are precious.

You are precious!

You are loved.  Perfectly, intimately and eternally. 

YOU are a child of God.