What it means to be SO LOVED

The small house was dimly lit and fairly shabby, marked by an air of neglect that went deeper than a need to sweep.  The woman who lived in it wore the same expression of being tired, overlooked, unwanted.

Her small house was a symbol of her status: she was the wife who was unworthy.

In her culture, multiple marriages were common, and often the importance of the wife was directly tied to the number of children she had borne.

This woman’s womb and her home remained empty.

So she was shuffled to the side and treated as less than all the others.

I sat and talked with her and knew that though my two-year-old played just outside and though my husband loved me, I had often experienced those same feelings of insecurity and inferiority and injustice.

I mean, really:  haven’t we all?

Who among us hasn’t been rejected?

Who has never felt unloved?

Who has never been abandoned or disappointed or full of despair?

I lived that way for a long time.  So I offered her the only thing I could:  I held out the hope that had healed me.

I told her she was chosen.  I told her she was loved.  I told her how I knew it, and I’d like to tell you, too.

You see, it’s really very simple.  “God SO LOVED the world.”

But what does that mean?

Being SO LOVED means:

• We don’t have to question if God wants a relationship with us, he sent his Son to show us just how much he does. (John 3:16)
• We don’t have to wonder if he’ll leave us, he promised to be with us always, even “until the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
• We don’t have to fear he’ll forget us, for he has engraved us on the palms of his hands. (Isaiah 49:16)

As she and I talked, she said she believed.  She confessed her faith and sought forgiveness.

And then?

She smiled.

From the depths of her soul, her eyes lit up and the small room with them.

She was SO LOVED, and she knew it.

Over the last few years, we’ve been working with Njoo Dada, an organization founded by some of my Kenyan friends to minister to young girls in crisis in Kenya.  We try to help them with training projects, economic development, and the day to day expense of running a home for young girls and their babies. It’s a safe haven for girls who have been hurt, who feel helpless and who need hope.

These girls are taught skills, they’re encouraged to continue their educations, and they are taught to take care of their children.  They’re also taught the truth:  they are SO LOVED.

This fall, I’ll be traveling with some friends to spend some time pouring that truth into their hearts.  We’ll be having a retreat for the girls at Njoo Dada and some other girls from the community groups my friend counsels, but we need your help.

*Sale Ended*

We launch a new shirt design each year so be sure to sign up to receive an update when our new shirts are available!

How?  It’s easy, really.  We’re selling these ADORBLE shirts on Bonfire.com.  Buy one!  The sale ends April 26 so don’t miss your chance to look cute and encourage teen moms in Kenya at the same time.  There are regular (but oh so soft!) tees, ladies fit, youth sizes, tanks, and more!  And the color choices are amazing!  Will you help us?  Just order your shirt today!  Here are a few of the options available:

Don’t you love them?  I hope so! Remember they’re only available for a few more days so don’t wait.  Also, I’d really appreciate if you would share this link withe your friends and family!  Help spread the word, please!