Exactly 36 years ago today, God gave Paul and me the most precious gift of our lives… our beautiful daughter, Sarah. Here she is on her first birthday… Awe! Cute huh?

We were blessed beyond measure with all the fun, joy, adventure, and yes – even the trials, of raising God’s daughter. But that’s not all. As we experienced the incredible love that a parent feels for his/her own child first-hand, God gave us just a tiny glimpse of the radical – extravagant – endless love He has for us.

A few days ago God reminded me again, through a young mother in a small group I belong to called “Listening to Abba,” just how immeasurable His love truly is. In this online community, we are taught to hear God’s voice through Listening Prayer.

One by one, we shared what God had been saying to us about how He loves us. When it was this young mom’s turn, she talked about how difficult it is for her to believe that God is madly in love with her. Yet, as she spoke of her love for her own children, God spoke directly to her heart, and to ours. She said something like this:

(Paraphrased) When my daughter was born, I couldn’t believe that I was capable of loving another human being as much as I love this baby girl. She is everything to me. I would do absolutely anything for her. Now with my son, who is so much more of a challenge than my daughter ever was, I still feel exactly the same way. I am amazed at the kind of love I have for my children. And it blows me away when I think that God is more in love with me than I am with my children. It seems impossible. It is simply amazing!

Today, as I think about my love for you Sarah, my birthday wish is not that you would know how much Dad and I love you. That is far too small a gift. Instead, I pray that you will receive just a small taste of the indescribable gift of God’s love for you.

He created you to be the beautiful, talented, amazing woman of God that you are. He smiles as He sings over you, not just today with “Happy Birthday Sweet Sarah” resonating in perfect pitch from His booming voice, but every day! God’s Word says,

“He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

He delights in you! (Psalm 147:11) As proud and madly in love with you as your Dad and I are, your Abba Father is even MORE crazy about you!

My birthday prayer for you my sweet daughter is that you will know, down to the core of your toes, just how treasured you are. I pray that you will be able to rest in your Abba Father’s love every day of your life, and know you are the precious, treasured, princess-daughter of the King of Kings.

And I pray the same for all of you reading this special JoyNews birthday issue. God is CRAZY about you! He DELIGHTS in you. He rejoices over you with singing. Today, ASK Him to reveal His song over you. Pray “Father God, what song are you singing over me today?” You may be surprised by what He says to you!

And be sure to write down what you hear. Then, the next time you are feeling unloved, unappreciated and perhaps just a bit invisible, you can go back and remember just how much you are loved by your Abba (that word means “Daddy”) Father God.

Did God speak to you through a song He is singing over you today? We would love to hear about it! Please share your story with others by clicking the Comment link at the top right of your screen.

Blessings to you all!
Mary