Words We All Need to Hear

During a very down time emotionally, when my kids were little and I felt anything but valuable and lovable, the Lord gave me this song during a time of worship. I think it's a message we all need to hear: 

You love me just as I am, Lord

You love me just as I am, Lord
You see deep inside me and look past my faults
And you love me just as I am.

You need me just as I am, Lord
You need me just as I am, Lord
My value to You can’t be measured by man
And you need me just as I am.

You use me just as I am, Lord
You use me just as I am, Lord
You filled me with your Holy Spirit and power
And you use me just as I am.

Everyone needs to hear the words “I love you” on a regular basis. Not “I love you because…” or, “I’ll love you if…” but just plain “I love you.” Every person is made in God’s image, and therefore everyone is valuable, capable and lovable. So, I’d like to tell you:

I love you just as you are,
I love you just as you are,
Because Jesus loves me just as I am,
I love you just as you are.

© Jeanette E. Levellie

Have a blessed day, you lovable, precious person, you!

Zits, Faults and All

It takes courage to say, "I like myself." Especially when you've sinned, hurt someone, or gone off your diet for the seventh time this week. And it's only Monday.

Can you relate to any of these:

• I yell at my husband, even though I know it only makes things worse.
• I don't pray as often as I think I should, or as long.
• I get impatient with people, and complain about them.
• I often let dishes sit in the sink, my bed go unmade, and my cats jump on the counter.
• I eat too much and exercise too little. 

Sometimes I think,  Will I ever grow up? When do I practice what I've been preaching to others for thirty years? I'm a mess.

At a writers conference I attended, Cecil Murphey prayed a simple little prayer that I later jotted down and stuck on my fridge, "Loving God, show me the truth about myself, no matter how wonderful it may be."
Aha.

God sees the wonder of you and me, no matter how much junque is still there. That gives us courage to continue to:

• like ourselves in spite of our plethora of flaws,
• bring our messiness to Him to fix,
• love others, no matter how imperfectly.

God knew what we were like before He created us, sent Jesus to die for us, and called us to Himself. He is not overly concerned about our faults. He wants us to grow up, but it just doesn't ruin His day like we might think when we aren't mature yet.
Besides, if we were perfect, no one could stand to be around us.

I am gathering up the courage instilled in me by the God of glory and His lamb, Jesus. I dare to say, "I like myself, zits, faults, and all." Won't you join me?