In an effort to boost her confidence, I asked my five-year-old daughter to complete this “I am” statement with three good things about herself, e.g., “I am smart,” “I am good at art,” etc. The first time I asked, she had no problem. The second time, however, she didn’t say anything.
I’m not sure if she was feeling down (or perhaps humble). So in the silence, I prayed a quick, “God, give me the right words to say to her here,” which He did. ✝️
I said to her, “If you don’t know what to say, you can ALWAYS say, ‘I am loved by Jesus.’ And that’s the most important ‘I am…!’” She instantly smiled. 😀
The other “I am” statements are subject to rebuttal, oftentimes, by OURSELVES in our own heads. “I am smart,…but not always and not with everything.” “I am funny,…but only to some people and, at times, at someone else’s expense.” “I am kind and generous,…but I can be mean and selfish at times.”
“I am loved by Jesus” is an absolute truth with no rebuttal. And if you try rebutting that in your head somehow, STOP! There is no “but” that can come after that. Don’t turn that truth into a lie by adding a “but” after it!
Notice I didn’t say to my daughter, “I am loved by Mommy and Daddy.” Of course, that is true as well, very much so. We’d do anything for our children. But our love for her is not enough to get through this life. It’s impossible for us to love our children perfectly. We don’t like to admit it, but we will fail our children in some way(s). It’s most important for our children to know that they can rely on a perfect love—the kind that only comes from God! ❤️
“How precious is your unfailing love, O God!” Psalm 36:7
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'” John 14:6
Purple Petunia 