It happened to me again this morning.

I was busy working.

Providing for my family.

Being creative.

And I spontaneously thought of my children.

As I pictured them in my mind, a chain of reactions followed:

My eyes gleamed.

The corners of my mouth curled upward.

My dimples deepened.

My pulse quickened.

Warmth flooded my heart.

I thought not of their immaturity.

Or flaws.

Or my disappointment with their behavior.

(Although those things certainly exist.)

I dwelt on their beauty as people.

Their uniqueness as individuals.

Of how I love them enough to give them my all.

I longed to see them grow.

To laugh until they can’t catch their breath.

To love selflessly and deeply

To savor every moment.

To thrive.

I wanted nothing but good things for them.

If you are a parent, you’ve likely felt the same.

If not, perhaps you can imagine yourself doing so.

Then it hit me:

THIS is what happens when God thinks of US.

The same light.

Love.

And warmth.

The same affection.

And desire for our best.

Why do we imagine otherwise?

Why do we assume that God focuses instead on our flaws?

Shortcomings?

Deficiencies?

Failures?

(Although those things definitely exist.)

I believe God thinks of us often:

“How precious are your thoughts concerning me, O God!

How vast in number they are!

If I try to count them,

there would be more of them than there are grains of sand.

- Psalms 139:17-18

And I’ll bet He smiles wide.

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