Beloved

Today I went for a little jog, which felt good because it was perfect running weather.  On my run I quickly realize that I grabbed my roommates ipod by mistake instead of mine.  This isn’t that big of a shocker considering we have identical ipods and lay them both on the same spot on the counter- you’d think we would have a system for this :)

When I was close to being done with my run, a song came on that I don’t think I’ve heard before.  It started out with a classical feel and then the lyrics began.  It went something like this, “…sometimes at night I lay under the moon and thank God I’m breathing…”  This one line was all I needed to realize something.

I am beloved.

One of girls (shout out Sam!!!) on the basketball team I help coach shared with me last weekend that she was really discovering what it means to be beloved.  She gave really great insight and I think I realized that was part of me  putting together a bunch of pieces to a big puzzle that spells BELOVED.

So, what does that mean.  In the simplest terms it is that I can lay under the moon and thank God I’m breathing.  Nothing in me deserves that, nothing.

It means that I am forgiven and that I am a child who is loved immeasurably even when I don’t deserve it.

I think I’ve been showed what it means to be beloved in times of blessing, especially a lot lately.  I’ve had so many things in my life ‘fall’ into place and be exactly what I needed.  So much good has been entrusted to me.  I’m blessed and grateful for that.

I think, however, that the hardest thing that I’ve come to realize is that I’m beloved even when I’m not in the midst of those blessings.  I’m loved and cherished and held close even when I’m hurt, even when I’m tired, even when I don’t get that job I wanted, even when I loose someone I love, even when I am humbled, even when my heart is breaking.

I’m beloved.

I’ve found that beloved is not conditional and it is not earned.  I’ve found beloved is best treated as a gift.  When I’ve received that gift, I know where I stand even when I fall short.


Beloved,
    I have permanent residence with you.  I am with you and encircle you all day long.  I am at home when we are together.
                         I love you,
                                Your Father