I love you, Daddy loves you, God loves you!

     From the time I became pregnant, I was nearly obsessed with learning all I could on how to be the best Mom I could be. Naturally, as a new parent, I spent hours poring over books and tapping into the wisdom of those around me. One of my resources of choice included Dr. James Dobson. I remember well persuing one of his many volumes on parenthood and being struck by the thought (paraphrased here) that the toddler years are an important time to drive home God's love for your child. The truth of this lodged itself permanently in my heart. From that point on, my phrase of choice to speak to my little angel was this: "I love you, Daddy loves you - but most of all, God loves you."

     I suppose a few factors plays into this affirmation burning inside of me. Growing up, I felt like the most insecure person on earth and would have happily spent much of it to myself - not God's will, but nonetheless, I would have been a wallflower by choice. Although my parents are very affectionate, loving people, somehow I never made the connection to God being the ultimate lover of my soul. As my Creator, He loved and accepted me, and despite what I felt, I did not have to merit His approval. I have a very strong perfectionist bent to me, and even once I progressed in my walk with God, I still often fell prey to condemnation. I can beat myself up for God with the best of 'em. Yet thankfully, this is not what He requires nor desires! (John 3:17 and Romans 8:1 are proof.) To top it off, my husband and I ended up in a very legalistic church for the first 7 plus years of our marriage. The theme that "God is angry with you" was a running theme in the sermons. 

     Is it any wonder that I am passionate about the bold, unabashed, unending love of God as expressed in Romans 8:37-39?

     "None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (MSG)

     It has taken me a long time to renew my mind to wholeheartedly embrace the truth that God loves me in every season, in every circumstance, in every failure, moment of weakness, and yes, even sin. I have resolved that it won't take Emma years. It's why I started telling her, long before her little brain could understand, that "I love you, Daddy loves you, but most of all - God loves you." I want her identity to be firmly formed and rooted in Christ's compassion. I know she will have moments of insecurity, but I don't want her to live insecure. My prayer and deepest desire is that she live a life of confidence - not foolhardy pride, but a sense of boldness that comes from knowing who she is and Whose she is. I want her to face the challenges that come in every season of life with a sense that Jesus is on her side. 

     And thus this little phrase was birthed: "I love you, Daddy loves you, but most of all -" For a time, I paused at this point and added, "Do you know Who else loves you?" Then together, we would say, "God loves you." Now, Emma was learning to affirm and encourage herself. One day, Mama won't be around on the worst day of her life, when the boy breaks her heart or she is passed over for the opportunity of her dreams, but I have no doubt the Holy Spirit will bring back to her mind: "... God loves you."

     Of late, I have noticed this theme popping up in Emma's prayer life. It's really amazing how the things that you speak to your children manifest in their own lives. One day, I added to my little encouraging statement this idea: "And I will never stop loving you, and neither will God." This provoked an amusing conversation with my little girl, who, wide-eyed, gasped, "Never?" Limited love we get, but a love that goes on...and on..and keeps on going? Even a child must seize this idea by faith. "Never," I stated emphatically. 

"Mom, stop loving me!" my daughter protested. "Stop loving me!"

"No, I can't. I won't. And I never will. I don't want to." Then I tucked her in for her nap and quickly made my exit.

     It was a brief exchange, but the idea stuck. Afterwards, we reiterated the idea that God never stops loving us. It wasn't long before I heard these words issue from Emma's lips to our Lord: "I love you, God, and I know You will never stop loving me." How precious and sweet these words must have been to our Savior's ears! He died and rose from the grave that my child might know such hope and grace as a tender age! Moreover, I have noticed how freely my child shows love and affection. Our encouraging words have released her to the point where, out of nowhere, she regularly comes running to us, stating, "Mommy (or Daddy), I love you." No, it's generally not in the blush of a fun trip or at the recipient of a gift. It is out of the overflow of Emma's own heart - and I am certain it is proof that God's love is taking root in her, because of the words we are speaking over her life. 

     What about you? Do you affirm your child regularly in God's love? What are your words of choice? Your words to your child have power and make a difference - producing either life or death. (Proverbs 18:21). With this in mind, let us pray and seek to speak only what is edifying and true to our precious, impressionable kiddos.

This article was written by Elizabeth Hamm

 Elizabeth Hamm is mommy to vivacious three year old Emma and wife to Kevin, her loving, supportive husband of 8 years. She is a graphic designer by day and by night, a woman with a passion for the pen and voracious love for God's Word. She credits her strength to the grace of God and her daily cup o' joe. Say hello to Elizabeth at lizhamm01@yahoo.com.