I always heard people say that having a baby gave them a more clear and tangible picture of God’s love for them than they ever had before. Ever since I can remember, I’ve known that God loves me. I’ve been told that and taught that since I was in diapers! I can honestly say though that love has never felt more real to me though than it has in these last 3 1/2 months with having my first baby. Our culture right now is all about “self love” or self care…but today I want to remind you of the truth that you are loved, and what that infinite love really looks like.
Obviously, I love my husband Michael with my whole heart. But my love for him is something that has grown and developed over the last 7ish years through a relationship – through ups and downs and experiences and work and it’s a beautiful thing. Our love for Shiloh is totally different than that. The moment we laid eyes on her, on October 27, 2019, we were completely and totally in love with her. This love wasn’t based on ANYTHING – not on anything she did or didn’t do, not on a relationship….we just saw her, saw her as absolutely perfect, and instantly loved her with our whole hearts. Like, heart-bursting, tears rolling overwhelming kind of love. She did nothing to earn this love other than just…exist.
How MIND-blowing is it that when God looks at us, he feels that exact same way [except times 10,000 because He is the perfect Father and his love is infinite and perfect]. When God looks at YOU, friend, His heart bursts with love. He sees you as perfect. His child. This love is not because of anything YOU did to earn it. Meaning if you feel like a total failure or not good enough or not successful enough or not pretty much…His love for you is steadfast and unchanging and infinite. It’s not based on your efforts or merit. Just like Shiloh did nothing to earn mine and Michael’s love for her…you have done nothing to earn God’s love for you. Meaning nothing you do can add or take away from His love.
I don’t know if you’re into enneagram stuff – but I am a 3, which is ‘the achiever’. My personality type is one that very much feels the need for constant striving and improving and performing. When it comes to my relationship with the Lord…I know He loves me, but I still feel the need to be better so that He will love me more or be happier with me. I’ve been so reminded since having Shiloh that nothing I do can make God love me more or less. He looks at me, like I look at Shiloh, and says that I am perfect, and His heart explodes with love for me. There is no need for performance or fear or striving. The truth is friend: you are loved. Infinitely, perfectly, wholly loved by the most perfect Father. Exactly how you are right in this moment.
When you truly grasp this truth that you are loved, you can live in freedom. Freedom from striving, freedom from insecurity, freedom from anxiety…because you know and believe that who you are is enough. Your security, your identity is grounded in the truth that you are loved. You don’t have to look to a job promotion or a number on a scale or a relationship for this “enough-ness”…because your heart is rooted and grounded in the truth that you are loved by your Maker. And HE has the finally say.
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Outfit details: Mixed print kimono | Chambray tank | White jeans | Braided booties | Faux leather satchel | Round sunnies
This has just been a truth that’s kind of rocked my world over these last 3 1/2 months. I know that not all of you have had a baby, but I wanted to share this with y’all – whether it’s the 10,000th time you’ve heard it or the very first time. I wanted to remind you that God looks at you and says “you are perfect. you are mine. you are so loved,” exactly how I look at Shiloh. I pray that this truth overwhelms your heart today and allows you to walk in compete freedom and joy!
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8
xo Lauren
