Author: Erin Lamb

Engineer and Author. I enjoy writing poetry, inspirational devotions, and bible studies. One main life message, God is love (God=Love). I also have a fond love for acoustic guitar, singing, song writing, and painting.

Me and Abba (The Perfect Father)

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It’s good to look back and reflect on what God has done. The next two posts will give you a glimpse on my walk with God (The Perfect Father). I hope it inspires you.

Scripture tells us to forget those things which are behind and to press towards what is ahead, Phil 3:13. It also tells us to remember all the good things God has done for us. Let us not forget the things He has seen us through. Here’s a simple recap for me of the last 10 years.

In the past 10 years I’ve lost a parent (my adopted mom), who was my best friend. She died the year I graduated college. Watching her die was the worst thing I have ever lived through. She was one of the best things that ever happened to my life, and I will miss her forever. I’ve seen both my parents battle cancer. I watched my biological mom lose her job, her car, her home, endure endless pain and suffering, and endure 7 major surgeries due to a hit and run accident that nearly destroyed her body. I’ve battled my own health issues, emotional issues, and baggage from years of bad things happening and traumas. I’ve had 3 lovely stalkers, ditched one extremely verbally abusive boyfriend, survived multiple near death experiences, and endured many a relational drama. Looking back I see a person held together by the hand of God.

There’s no way I could have survived everything that happened without Him. I only gave you a summary, there’s so much more He’s seen me through. He’s everything. And though there were days where I would wish for home, He never let me go. Suffering and I were bedfellows. But I tell you that no matter how bad it hurts today, God never fails. Gosh, I wish I could rid the world of pain and suffering, but it’s here until He returns. Our comfort rests in the truth that God steps into suffering; He heals, comforts, delivers, and restores.

There is one Man who will carry you when you cannot even lift your head. He is Jesus. I take no glory in my own strength because it fails. I do lean my head on the chest of the One who took nails for me. He did it for you too! So, my prayer today is that you find hope in Jesus. He will never leave or forsake you. I can’t promise much, but I can bet my life on that one thing….Why? Because I am still alive, healthy, and still standing!

Look back at the things God has seen you through…you will see that even when it hurt to breathe, He never let you go. He will never let you go. And the sweetest thing is that God not only saves, He heals, and He delivers. 

Have a very blessed week.

Love,

Erin

P.S You are deeply loved! Today and every day.

The Perfect Father’s Discipline

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The Perfect Father’s Discipline

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clipart

Written by Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love, ~Psalm 145:8.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is
patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance, ~2 Peter 3:9.

Dear friends, nothing raises more arguments than the subject of how God disciplines His children. Some cling to the Old Testament examples of God striking people dead while others believe that God is okay with whatever we do. Let’s allow the pendulum to swing to truth and dissect a perfect parent’s discipline.

1. The Perfect Father protects. God is holy (has no fault; He is perfection) .God hates sin. Why? Sin is falling short of His standard. He is spotless, and sin is pollution. Sin also separates us (His children) from the best life possible. Sin is like cancer, it multiplies and destroys its host. Think of it this way, we keep poisons away from children. We tell them no when they try to get to them. We do these things out of love. We know more than they know that what they are after leads to death. The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, ~Romans 6:23. Adam and Eve didn’t die physically when they sinned but they did die a spiritual death. We too suffer when we choose our way above God’s way. He is always right. So…

The Perfect Father points His children away from things that will harm them, especially sin. He doesn’t say no because He hates us or wants to spoil the party. He knows that sin will lead to our destruction. God is love, life, peace, hope, and joy.

2. God disciplines primarily through words, not killing people. If you pick up a Bible and read it, you will notice God spoke to people either directly or through someone else to warn them of their behavior. He asks questions. Why did you do this? If He was out to kill every person who didn’t do what He said, then we would all be in trouble. Adam was the first sinner. He directly disobeyed God. Adam lived.  Abraham lied on several occasions and he lived. He became a great father of faith. David committed adultery and had someone killed to have their wife. David lived and was called a man after God’s own heart. God never condones bad behavior. He does however give us a chance to repent (change our ways), and He is generous with forgiveness. See 2 Peter 3:9.

4. God knows our hearts and weaknesses. Some of us do the wrong thing and have no idea we are falling short. There are some of us who willingly do the wrong thing. God knows whether we understand or we don’t understand. For example a parent would have a different response to a 2-year-old who destroys something in the house and a teenager. Either way, God is patient with us. If He weren’t, I certainly would not be typing to you.

5. God is not out to get you. There are so many people who have an unhealthy fear of God. It is true that we reverence Him as God. However, He is not sitting in the heavens looking down for someone to pick on. He is not cruel or blood-thirsty. God is love. More than anything He wants a relationship with His children, to protect them from harm, and to bless His offspring. Jesus came not to destroy the world, but to save it so we could all be reconciled to the Father (John 3:17).

6. The Perfect Father gives freedom. God gives us many chances to choose the right path before He allows us to be turned over to our own desires. He pursues our best interests right up until the point we say, “I don’t need or want you.” I have seen people self-destruct not because of what God was doing, but because of their own poor choices.  Even still, if they turn around and want Him, He runs with arms wide open (think..prodigal son story-Luke 15:11-25)

Lastly, just like the photo in this post, God is looking at you with the eyes of love. He is saying, “This is my child and I want nothing more than to be in this moment with you. I am so glad I made you.”  God is a loving, patient, and caring Father. My prayer is any ideas of Him you have that contradict that truth are uprooted. He does not want to harm you, but to give you an amazing life. You are deeply loved.

Who’s My Father? (The Perfect Father)

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The Perfect Father

By Erin Lamb, all rights reserved

Dear friends, I am so excited about this series on God as the Perfect Father. One thing that stirs my heart is the misrepresentation of God’s heart. He doesn’t need anyone to defend Him. However, I’m passionate about His heart being accurately portrayed. Why you may ask? I’m surrounded by people who don’t know God. Some claim to be atheists, some believe God hates them, some are so overwhelmed with shame they can’t imagine a loving God, and some have been told God is a cruel task master. My heart aches for the world to know how GOOD God is. So, as we embark on this journey together, here are some things I’d love for you to ponder.

1. All human beings were created in God’s image and are His children. He is the Father of all creation (Genesis 1). Some of His kids are reconciled through Jesus and some have yet to be reconciled or may refuse His love. In His heart every child has value. God is daily pursuing reconciliation with His kids.

2. God’s parenting is perfect, we just don’t always experience His love. He has been misrepresented by humans. Our earthly parents may have failed but He is perfect. Developing a personal relationship with Him is the only way to fully know His heart. No person can have the relationship for us, we must accept His invitation for ourselves.

3. God knows all, sees all, and hears all. I’ve heard people say they are too far gone for God to bless or love them. Well, here’s a thought to ponder…God knew everything you would do before you were born. He is not limited by time or space. You were His idea. Your parents were His idea. He loved you before you were born. He loves you today. There’s nothing you can do to change His love!

Prayer for you:

Father I ask for every person who visits this site to have an encounter with Your heart. May they have a deeper revelation of Your love as their loving Father. For those who don’t know You, may they be reconciled to You, the One who loves them most.

P.S You are deeply loved and have a loving Heavenly Father!

Encountering the Perfect Father in a Dark World

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“I have told you these things so that in Me you would have peace. In the world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world,” ~Jesus. John 16:33.

Written by Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

The photo above was taken the day my friend David died. David was the type of person you wanted to know. David was the first person to show up when someone needed help, and he was willing to sacrifice his life for others. He radiated God’s love. He loved, served, and helped so many. He gave his life working on the restoration of Haiti. He was murdered this February while serving orphans in Haiti. In the midst of building an orphanage He was robbed and shot. His death tore my heart in many places.  I wept and wept. Why do I share this with you? We live in a world that is filled with pain, suffering, wrongful death, sickness, disease, hatred, abuse, abandonment, and sorrow. In the midst of it all you may wonder how someone can say that God is good. How can we say God is love? If He is so good and loving, then why is our world filled with so much darkness.

It all started with one man, Adam. God made man in His image. He placed man on earth and said, “This is your dominion, rule and reign,” Genesis 1. Adam had everything he needed. God gave him beautiful landscape, all the food he could eat, a lovely wife, and complete communion with Him. He also gave Adam the ability to choose for himself what he wanted to do. Fast forward. Eve is deceived by the crafty serpent and Adam sinned. This is where death, destruction, sickness, and darkness entered our world, Genesis 3. Not only that, Adam surrendered authority and dominion to the devil. If you believe in God, you must believe in the devil. Evil exists and he propagates it. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy, John 10:10. He hates people. He hates love. He loves it when people blame God for his activities. He sows hatred, division, strife, death, and evil in our world.

Did God leave us helpless? Absolutely not. Jesus came, lived a perfect life, and died on a cross to restore us to right relationship with God and take back the authority Adam gave to evil. Jesus fixed the problem, we don’t always see the evidence of His work. He took back authority and dominion for those who believe in Him. Jesus provides hope and healing for those who lean on Him, and He cheated our worst enemy, death. Those who believe in Him will inherit everlasting life, John 3: 16. He handed over the authority He took back to every believer. He paid for it all. Jesus is the solution.

So, why doesn’t God rid the world of all evil? Loaded question. I will give you my understanding, but recommend you ask Him yourself. I believe that love involves freedom. God gives us the freedom to choose Him. If He was the only option, then there would be no choice. I believe God is already victorious and though our world looks dark, He continues to work through His children to bring peace, love, joy, healing, and heaven to earth. I believe and know He will make all the wrongs right. I believe that if we trust God we will see that the end of the story is better than any of the suffering we have witnessed. I believe that God is good and though He is blamed for evil, nothing in His nature is evil. I have seen Him turn tragedy into triumph, victims into victors, and the worst of situations into something beautiful. We (humans) still have the ability to choose evil. God won’t force us to love. So, when you fill a planet with people who can choose evil, there will be evil.

How do I deal? Good question. Prayer is powerful. Since God gave people dominion on this planet, He moves when we pray and ask for help. I hate to admit it but until heaven, there will be evil in the world. I’ve found no greater solution than prayer. I pray. You pray. We pray, and we ask God for help.

Final thoughts. I’m not a person typing to you who hasn’t suffered. One day maybe I will share my story in its entirety. I know what it’s like to endure physical and great emotional pain. I have had more than one near death experience. I have seen God do amazing things because someone prayed. I have seen Him heal the sick, bring life to dead situations, and so much more….You are loved my friends. No matter what you have faced in life or will face, God LOVES you! He is your best advocate. Praying you are blessed this week, beyond measure.

You Are My Child (Poem)

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Photo Credit: Microsoft Clipart

Written by Erin Lamb©, all rights reserved

God’s love is overwhelming once our hearts have a revelation of how incredible it is. His love for His children does not fail. We live in a world that may at times make it challenging to see God’s love. As stated in the post The Perfect Father, God is not cold, cruel, or aloof. He loves us deeply and purely. The words below were pressed into my heart today. I hope they bless you. Whether you know God or not, He loves you. You are the object of His affection. You are loved….today and every day.

You are My child;

the one that I came for,

and the one My heart loves.

Before I set the stars in the sky

I thought of you, and I knew you.

I pieced together your DNA in My mind.

Everything about you,

I knew you before the creation of time.

You were and will always be the one My heart longs for.

Every moment of the day

I am eagerly waiting for you to look My way.

I’ve stored up abundant blessings for you,

beyond your wildest imaginings.

I have always loved you,

always known you,

and I have always wanted to be with you.

You are My child.

You are an extension of My creativity.

How delighted I was to pour out My heart and speak life into you.

I neither slumber nor sleep;

My eyes are careful to watch every step you take.

All for love,

I reach down

in ways you cannot always see.

Oh, to meet with you,

to be with you;

there is no place I’d rather be!

Every hair on your head;

I know them.

Every tear you’ve shed;

I have bottled them.

No one knows you better than Me,

and no one can love you as well as I can.

There is a void inside you that is longing to be filled.

And I stand with arms wide open,

longing to fill your heart with so much love that your heart’s cup overflows.

I am the One who knows your destiny and true identity.

I created you for Me.

Your name is engraved upon My heart,

and your dreams as well.

I long to see you soar to the highest heights

I am your biggest fan.

You are My child and nothing can cause Me to love you less.

I love you!

I love you!

I will always love you!

If you cannot feel My love or sense My affection,

look to that rugged cross.

There My Son took many lashes.

He took them for you.

So that you and I could be together for eternity.

You were worth dying for.

You were worth saving.

You are My child,

and My love is always here for the taking.

The Perfect Father

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The Perfect Father

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clipart
By Erin Lamb, all rights reserved

“For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life,” John 3:16.

“The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love,” Psalm 145:8.

God has been presented as cold, stern, demanding, punishing, and even aloof. On this journey to exploring His heart those statements have been proven to be the furthest things from the truth. God is passionate, loving, patient, filled with joy, compassionate, forgiving, and involved. His love for each of us is personalized. He is the perfect Father.

So, what constitutes the perfect father? They say people filter their view of God through their parents. If a person has loving parents, then it is far easier to see God as loving. Set aside the view of your earthly parents and come join me on the journey to knowing the perfect parent, God.

Some Characteristics of the Perfect Parent:

Unconditional Love. The perfect parent loves their child not based on their performance or abilities. Their child is the object of their love because they are an extension of who they are. We are made in God’s image, Genesis 1:27. We are His children.

Patience and Mercy. The perfect parent is filled with patience. God is perfect in patience. He knows our weaknesses and limitations. God is not a cruel task master. He knows without His help we are doomed to fail. He did the work for us on the cross, so we could depend on Him.  He overflows with mercy, as well as patience. When we fail, He asks we confess our sins, then He forgives us our sins. He extends mercy.

Provides Instruction & Lovingly Corrects. Leadership is a fundamental characteristic of the perfect parent. They lead by example and correct in love. If they see their child is headed for disaster, they will do all that they can to help their child get back on track.

Protect, Provide, Comfort, and Encourage. The perfect parent is concerned with the well-being of their child. They make the best interest of their off-spring the highest priority.God cares about every detail of His children’s lives. The perfect parent is their child’s biggest cheerleader.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”  Matthew 6:26

Leaves an Inheritance/Blessing. The perfect parent has blessings set aside for their child. The Bible states a righteous person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, Proverbs 13:22.  God has given all those in Christ a share in His inheritance. God offers blessings and every spiritual blessing in heavenly places for those who receive Jesus as Savior, Ephesians 1:3.

Those are just some of the characteristics of God as the perfect parent. There is so much more. He loves us more than anyone on this planet. My prayer is that we have a deeper revelation of His love.  We are deeply loved.

P.S Check  out http://www.facebook.com/erinlambpoetry for your opportunity to win a free copy of I Thought I Knew What Love Was and a gift card (US residents only for the card).

God’s Love Letter (Poem)

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God’s Love Letter

Written by Erin Lamb © Copyright 2011

I see you,

right where you are,

and I delight in you.

Your name runs across My mind

more times than you can imagine during the day.

Even in the night,

I ponder the great work that I have made in you.

The seeds of promise within you

are waiting to spring forth from your faith.

I blow sweet kisses at you during the night,

and you sense My smile in the sunlight.

I bottle your tears.

I want to cast away all your fears.

I support your dreams

and all those things,

you feel I am too big, or too busy to notice.

I watch over you carefully;

you are My precious possession.

You are My family,

one of royalty,

and of great value and worth.

Nothing can separate you from My love.

My love is constant and never wavering.

I will never leave.

I am as close to you

as you want Me to be.

I have great love for you;

this I want you to see.

Every day I wait eagerly

to speak My words of affirmation over you,

to share life with you,

and I am so pleased with what I have made.

I know you,

and I love you.

I chose you,

and I love you.

I gave you life,

and I love you.

You are My beloved,

and I love you with a ceaseless love that stretches far beyond your

mental capabilities.

When you think I am far away,

I am here.

Here, with you, is where I’ll always aspire to be.

Call out to Me,

and I will draw close to you.

For My love,

I never break a promise.

I never betray My vows.

I am committed to love you

and care for you.

This love is not based on what you do,

what you will accomplish,

or what you’ve done.

This love is not limited by what you have failed to do.

My grace flows over you.

My Son’s blood washed over you

and made you new.

I chose you before you knew Me,

and I knew you before you were a thought

in anyone else’s mind.

I know every intimate aspect of your life.

I will know you forever.

I loved you then,

and I love you now.

I will love you, for all your days.

Copyright © 2011 Erin Lamb. Excerpt from, “I Thought I Knew What Love Was.”

All rights reserved. No part of the material may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, without the written permission of the Publisher, Westbow Press or Author, Erin Lamb. The only exception is in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Book available (USA and Canada): Purchase I Thought I Knew What Love Was

http://www.barnesandnoble.com and http://www.amazon.com

This Too Shall Pass

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This Too Shall Pass

Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

Have you ever been through a rough storm? In the natural you wonder when the lightening will cease, when the winds will stop blowing, and when the thunder will end? In our lives we wonder, when will the person we are praying for encounter Jesus, when will each day not seem like it saps energy and joy, when will the storms pass over? Maybe you have been in your storm for a week, maybe a month, maybe a year, maybe years, maybe a decade or decades. The word God spoke to my heart today was, “This too shall pass.” No matter the storm, it will one day end.

I am encouraged by people who lived through wars and the Great Depression. They truly understood the storms of life. Or those who lived through segregation, not being able to vote, and were treated like animals instead of human beings. I admire those who did not lose faith during the Holocaust, those that survived and still believed in a loving God.  I look back to those who suffered and say, “This too shall pass.” My heart is encouraged that no matter what it looks like today, tomorrow is a new day.

Are you facing sickness, this too shall pass…

Are you facing depression, despair, or discouragement, this too shall pass…

Are you facing relational problems or even loneliness, this too shall pass…

Are you facing what seems like a steep mountain to climb, this too shall pass…

Are you wondering how you will make ends meet, this too shall pass…

The words I wrote to you, are the words God speaks to me. God will not leave you where you are. God will always make a way. I can’t always see it when the winds are crashing against the shore, but I hear my Savior crying out, “I still walk on the water. I command the winds and waves to obey. This too shall pass.”

In the storms of life, cry out to Jesus. He loves you more than you can imagine. He is the peace in the storms. He heals, He restores, He gives joy, and He is a comforter.

My dear friends, the sun will come out again. The Son is shining on you right now! He never stops shining. May the peace of God rule in your hearts. More than being able, God is willing to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or imagine. He’s the God who loves us.

Encountering the Master Gardener

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What I’ve Learned about God Through Gardening

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clipart

Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

God is in all things, all we have to do is look closely. I have found some applicable life lessons in my time spent tending to a garden or plants. So, come with me on the journey to encountering God in the garden.

We reap what we sow-meaning what we plant is what comes to the surface. A gardener would be horrified if they found what they planted in the ground is not what they have at harvest time. They planted tomatoes, but somehow grew corn.

Often in life I think we are shocked to see negative things breaking through the surface of our lives. We scratch our heads and say,”Where did this come from?” We neglect to ask ourselves what seeds are planted in our minds and hearts. Out of the mouth the heart speaks (Matthew 12:34b). If the seeds planted in our hearts are seeds of un-forgiveness, unbelief, hatred, selfishness, jealousy, envy, strife, or lust-that is what will break forth.  Where do the seeds originate from? Seeds are planted in our minds and make their way to our hearts; that is where each seed, either good or bad is planted. What we allow to sink in and take root is what will blossom in our lives. It’s to our benefit to take every thought captive and make it obedient to God’s word (2 Cor. 10:5).

We reap more than we sow. Seeds yield more than the small seed planted. If we invest in what is good, there are great things that will spring forth, more than what was sown.

Plants need light, water, and pruning. So do we. God is light. Everything good, He encompasses. He is the source of life.  Plants left inside turn themselves to grow towards the light. The plants need the light to grow and thrive. Without the light, the plants will wither and die. We need God to grow and thrive. Some plants (like ivy) will climb over any obstacle to get its light source. How would our lives be different if nothing stopped us from seeking the light?

Another important part of plant development involves watering. I left a plant with a friend while in Australia and we she returned it, the leaves were withered and limp. It was still alive, but looked a bit sick. Once the plant was watered it perked up. I liken my sick plant to the spiritual condition of the human soul. If the love of God is not being poured in, if truth is not saturating the soul, it begins to dry up. Water is crucial to life. We can’t wait for church services to meet with God or have our hearts filled by Him. It is a daily drawing near to Him. He is standing there with His water pitcher saying “Here is more love, more truth, more hope, more revelation, and more encouragement. Now grow, thrive!”

The last point is the beauty of pruning, weeding, and attentive care. If you have a garden you are aware that weeds will try to crowd out your beloved plants. They will attempt to rob the soil of nutrients and have the potential to kill your crop or flowers. Our weeds may be described as discouragement, deception, unbelief, or fear. Those things must be quickly uprooted before they crowd out faith, hope, and love. Gardeners care for what they have planted. They have invested in what they have sown.

God is the master gardener, and He is invested in you. He loves you. God wants you to grow and thrive, and not just for His own personal satisfaction.  He also wants to bless everyone around you. My greatest satisfaction as a gardener is being able to give away the fruit of my labor. God loves you infinitely more than I love my plants. He has so much invested in you. Praying you not only grow, but thrive.

You’re My Favorite

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What I’ve learned about God through painting

By Erin Lamb, all rights reserved.

I am by no means a professional artist. However, I love to paint. I have loved painting since I was a child. Every painting is a treasure because it was birthed from my imagination. I think of the vast imagination of God. He is the most ingenious being in the Universe. If you look around, you will see His greatness painted on this canvas called earth. Every person was birthed in His mind before the foundations of the earth. He pulled out His living paint brush and began to create. Every pink sunrise and vivid sunset is a reminder of His creative genius. He took great care in creating the most sophisticated things in the world. Everything was made by Him and for Him.

So what about you? You are one of His favorites. You might say that is a little bold and God doesn’t have favorites. Well, you are His favorite you. He only made one of you and therefore you are His favorite you.

I have been obsessed with painting trees or butterflies the past few months. Every painting has trees or butterflies, but no painting looks exactly the same. Even though they are all paintings that contain trees or butterflies, each one is my favorite. Each one has tremendous value. Others may look at the rows of paintings and say, “I like the lean trees, they are prettier.” Or someone else might say “I like the richness of the larger trees and the beauty in the diversity of the bark.” Or they may say, “I love the colors of this butterfly.” The truth is I am the artist. All the paintings have the same value to me. I hate to part with any of them. I hate to choose which one I like the best. They are each the best to me. They are mine. I created them. They are all fine-looking to me. If someone asked me which painting was my favorite I would say, “They are all my favorites. I love them all.”

God is the finest artist. He looks over the earth and smiles on what He has made. Since every living creature originated from His mind first, each creature has immense value. He says to you, “I love you. I knew you before you were a thought in your parent’s minds. You were made by Me and for Me. You have tremendous value. No one can take your place. I breathed life into My imagination to make you. The way you look, the way you sound, and your capabilities were designed by Me.”

There is freedom when we recognize that we all have immeasurable value. We are not a mistake. The great artist says “You’re My favorite you.” It doesn’t matter what anyone else says, or even what you think of yourself. You are valuable. You are a gift. You are priceless. Listen to the words of the One who loves you more than anyone ever could. He loves you. God loves you, and to Him you were an excellent idea.