Father's Love Letter

The past few weeks at church we have been doing a series called 'Shattered'.  It was three weeks long, the first week 'Broken Image', the second 'False Image', and the last one, 'Mirror Image'. 

We missed the second week, but the first and third were really good so I am sure that one was too. The first one was about how we are all broken in some way, shape, or form. And the only way we can ever get over it and let ourselves heal from whatever is breaking us is to let God in and let Him do the fixing. 

This past week though was the one that really got to me. It was all about who is holding your mirror and the quote that says something like "You see yourself how you think others see you". That is a horrible paraphrase, but that is how I word it so that I understand it. So they asked the question, "Who is holding your mirror?" Who sets the standard for how you see yourself and what you think and feel about yourself?

For me, that was a tough question. I've been struggling lately, I'm not going to lie. I've been homesick more than ever before because I haven't seen my family since Christmas. I hate that I am missing out on so much. My nephews are growing like weeds. My best friend is going through quite the rough patch right now. I hate that I am not there for her. Plus I just feel like I am not good enough for anyone lately. That I am worthless. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that I am still learning at work, so I feel like I am always asking questions and always making mistakes. But I just feel like no matter what I do, it's never enough and it's never right, and no one is ever happy with me.

So when they asked who was holding my mirror, I had a hard time pinning it down to one person. They said it could be a specific person, or everyone, or yourself, or society, or a certain expectation. Right now I feel like all of those fit. They had us go up to the front for communion, and at that time, we could write out who we think holds our mirror on one of several mirrors they had standing on the stage. I didn't have an answer, so I didn't write anything down. I felt guilty, but I really didn't know the answer. While we took communion, the ushers went up and wiped away what everyone had written down, demonstrating how the only person who truly holds our mirror, and the only opinion we should care about, is Gods.

After church Josh and I were talking about who holds our mirrors. Josh said he wrote himself, because he is always trying to prove to himself that he can and should do better. I told him about how I didn't know who I think holds my mirror, because I don't even know how I feel about myself right now. He said for me, it is probably everyone, and I agree. I am way too much of a people-pleaser and I take things to heart much more than I should. I am always thinking people don't like me... so why should I like me? So I definitely agree that in my eyes, everyone is holding my mirror. 

(Have I told you lately that I am thankful for my husband? Because I am. So thankful. He really helped me realize what is holding me back right now and that I really need to work on loving myself more and being more confident than I am right now, and that I am really not the horrible person I've been feeling like I am. He's really great.)

So the pastor preached about how it doesn't matter how we think other people see us, or how we see ourselves, but that we need to focus on how God sees us. Is God proud of us? Is God disappointed in us? Does He think we are perfect, or does He think we could use some work? We are 'fearfully and wonderfully made', created in His own image...I don't know if you realize this, but we are fabulous! God doesn't want us to see us in any other way than how He sees us. Because in His eyes, we are perfect.

At the end of the service, the pastor read this letter, and I thought it was pretty cool and I wanted to share it. I know... long story just for this, huh? But trust me, it is worth it. It's the perfect pick me up for any of your down in the dumps kinda days....

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32


Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

Seriously, after reading that, how can you not feel like one of the most amazing and wonderfully made beings?!? If that's not an instant upper, I don't know what is :)