I go on a three-day, silent retreat each year. It is a very intense spiritual time, filled with much prayer and reflection. It never fails to refresh and renew my spirit and draw me closer to our amazing God. On one particular retreat, most of my thoughts and inspirations were centered on my children; it seemed to be the “theme” of my retreat. I was filled with deep gratitude for the incredible gifts they are to me, and I realized how much God must love me for entrusting them to me. I felt very blessed, and I wondered what I ever did to be worthy of them.

As I prayed in thanksgiving for my children, I couldn’t shake a recurring thought. I keep hearing, “precious and good, precious and good,” over and over in my mind. It was as if God put words to the feeling I carried in my heart for my children.

We are all God’s children. While I took the inspiration of “precious and good” as God’s reminder to me of my children, it was also His reminder of how He feels about His children—you and me. He does not focus on our sins and shortcomings. In His sight we are all “precious and good.” Remind yourself of that the next time you are feeling particularly shameful for some sin, or unloved by others. To God, you are always precious and good!

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name: you are mine.
When you pass through waters, I will be with you;
through rivers, you shall not be swept away.
When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned,
nor will flames consume you.” – Isaiah 43:1-2

Originally posted 2014-12-01 06:00:18.