God used a cute 3-year-old to teach me a powerful lesson.
I love my precious three-year-old Noah Johnny. If you look up ‘cute’ in the dictionary, along with a few others, I’m quite sure you’ll find his picture. I got to pick him up after his pre-school yesterday and I was enjoying him so much that I looked down at him and said, “I love you, Noah.” He looked up at me with those shiny brown eyes and said, “Why, MaMa? Why do you love me?” and then he waited for my answer. I wasn’t ready for that question, but I wanted to assure him. Before I could even think, I told him because he was so sweet, and he was kind and…my mind was whirling around trying to think of the best answer. I could tell him how cute he is, but I would love him if he wasn’t. I could tell him how smart he is, but I would love him if he wasn’t. And then I told him the truth…” I love you because you’re mine. You are MY sweet NoBo.” He gave me that ornery little sideways grin and ran on to his next adventure. He was satisfied and so was I.
Later that evening I thought about our conversation again. I thought about my answer. I thought about Noah. When my daughter first told me that we would be blessed with a new family member I couldn’t wait. And when I found out he was going to be a boy, I dreamed of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails. When that bouncing baby boy popped into this world the next June, he jumped right into my heart. I immediately loved him with a now and forever kind of love. Oh, how I hope he will stay on the good path of life that he is being taught; but I will love him even if he strays. How beautiful he is with his dark hair and eyes and dimples that you could bury a cherry in; but I would love him if he wasn’t. He is part of my family, my heritage, my life and I love him because he is mine.
As these thoughts rolled around in my head, I heard my Father whispering in my ear, “You see? I love you just because you are Mine! Why is that so hard to believe? I want all good things for you. I want you to listen to Me. But even when you don’t; I love you. I saw your unformed body in your mother’s womb. I wrote the days of your life before you were born. I have loved you since the beginning of time…you bring Me joy. I want you to be satisfied too. You are part of Me, part of My creation. You have My inheritance. I love you, precious child, just because you are Mine.”
If we can love our children, how much more does our Father love us? Remember that you have His attention. You have His heart. You have His ears. And even if nothing else feels right in this world, don’t forget how very much He loves you…just because you are His.
Be blessed,
~ Diane Qubty
