“Everybody likes me, I announced to my mother one day when I was still a toddler. I don’t remember this youthful burst of confidence, but my mother told me about it a few months ago. It seems so unlike me that every time I think of it I smile. I wasn’t bragging or trying to convince anyone; I was just stating a matter of fact. Perhaps only a child could truly believe that everyone enjoyed her presence. Imagine a life where you were convinced that simply being yourself brought joy to others.
I was reminded of that story the other night when I was singing Caleb to sleep. Suddenly I realized that “Jesus loves me, this I know is an echo of the same confidence that I had as a child. It occurred to me that I had never really paid attention to the words of the song: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Indeed, Paul prays that the Ephesians would “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, a love “that surpasses knowledge (Eph. 3:18-19). When Jesus calls us to be like little children (Matt. 18:3), I believe part of that means simply accepting His love without question.
How different would my life be if I could let go of all of my self-absorbed insecurities and simply know with a childish confidence that Jesus loves me? I wouldn’t need anything else. I bet I’d act a little more like that little girl who never met a stranger because when I really accept that my Lord loves me it no longer matters whether everybody likes me or not. What a joy it is to know: “Yes, Jesus loves me.
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What a great thought! I know that I sometimes question how God could love someone who messes up as much as me. Thanks for reminding me that I need to accept His love and be confident of it.
By the way, everyone still likes you and so do I!
How did you know that I needed to hear that?? I was just drying my hair and telling myself how much I need to change about my appearance. If only I could realize that God loves me no matter how I look. It’s SO hard to accept that that’s more important than how others view me. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Love you!
Thank God for His amazing love. There is no greater security, and it is made certain at the cross. Thanks for giving me a comforting reminder. You should write one of these every week, and when Caleb is about 4 or 5 you could publish “Devotional thoughts from Caleb’s Mom”. It would be a best seller, and Caleb’s grandchildren would really enjoy it. So would his Pops.
Mary Beth,
Kurt said just what I was thinking! You need to publish your thoughts! God has blessed you with the talent to put into words such awesome thoughts in a wonderful way! We love you too!
Mary Beth, thanks for the reminder. Like Casey I feel like
I mess up so many times how could God or anyone else love me.
Love
MeMa
Well said, Sis. “Perfect love casts out fear.” Thank you.
Mary Beth,
God has truly blessed you with such a gift. I am loving reading your thoughts and I am always encouraged by what you have to say. Thanks for sharing and I can’t wait to read your next one!
Dear Mary Beth,
I so enjoy your writings and I really needed to hear this. I love you so much and there are so many things I need and want to share with you. Nana