To the hurting daughters (and sons), I’ve been there.
I often still find myself asking why I have the family I have. I see others who seem to have the best parents and families anyone could ask for, and yet they take them for granted. I know that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but when you’re hurting, it certainly seems that way.
With all the recent posts filling my newsfeed celebrating “Daughter Day” I’ve been struggling to remember that I’m loved.
It hurts to know that someone who is supposed to love you the most, willingly chooses to not have a relationship with you, their daughter. I’ve struggled with that rejection more than I care to admit.
In the midst of the rejection and disappointment, there is still hope.
You see, the one who created the Heavens and the Earth, He loves me. He chose me and still chooses me. I am His child, wanted, adopted, worthy of love, beautiful, cherished, known, and free.
His love for me is perfect, and perfect love casts out all fear. 1 John 4:18
“Love: It will not betray you, dismay, or enslave you. It will set you free.” Mumford & Sons
When I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I’m loved by the savior, it sets me free. I’m free to accept his love that He lavishes out on His daughters and sons. I’m also free to pour that overflow of His love into the lives of those around me. I am more loved by the Father than I had ever dared to hope.
“I bought the world and sold my heart. You traded Heaven to have me again.” Hillsong
How beautifully true that is. I traded my heart for the world, full of things that only provide temporary happiness and pass away. Jesus traded Heaven to have me again. To Him, I’m worth it all.
“I was an orphan lost at the fall, running away when I’d hear Your call. I had no righteousness of my own, I had no right to draw near Your throne, but Father You loved me STILL. I’m a child of God by grace and grace alone.”
He loved me still, despite my unrighteousness, sin, and shame. By His grace He took it all away to call me His child.
In the midst of the brokenness, Jesus is there, arms open wide.
As a friend said, “Its ok to be broken, but it matters what you do with those broken pieces.” I’m taking my shattered heart to the Lord. One of my absolute favorite quotes says, “I met God who slowly, painfully, and divinely pieced me back together.” How beautifully true it is.
While I was on the race, specifically in month 3, I was really struggling through this. Ashley wrote me a note one day, that I love so very much, as a reminder that God is my Father and loves me unconditionally. She wrote it as if God was speaking directly to me. It says, “I am proud of you. I am proud of the daughter you have become and the daughter you are becoming. I am proud of you even when you don’t have it all together. Don’t fight my love. Don’t fight allowing me to embrace you in the messy moments. Its then that I want to hold you the most. Do you believe that I am a God that loves putting things back together again? That I love restoring? That I love to redeem? Allow me to do what I love to do. And I’m gentle in my ways, so believe in my perfect timing. Kelly, be patient with me for I am showing you a new picture of my heart in the process. Let go and allow me to be everything you need in every part of your every day. I love you, Kelly.”
I pray that you would believe these things wholeheartedly. That you would know the love of God the Father, that it would surround you in every area of your life.
