If you live in the greater Madison area, I would like to encourage you to join Steve Freitag or myself as we spend five weeks discussing the dynamics of spiritual freedom beginning the week of June 19. Details on my class here. Details on Steve’s class here (pdf).
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. — John 1:12-13
When our youngest children were just old enough to play on their own without killing themselves or each other, my wife was taking advantage of a few moments to get the kitchen cleaned up. As she scoured pots and pans, she was completely unaware of the conversation going on in the living room.
Sally (age three): Would you cut my hair?
Alan (age five): Sure!
Alan, being a resourceful lad, soon had a pair of scissors. Chop. Chop. In a few moments Sally had a crew cut, except for a few strands here and there that Alan missed. As Alan looked over his work of art, his mother appeared.
Somehow she managed to avoid cardiac arrest right then and there. I got home, surveyed the damage, picked up both children and smiled.
Later on that night, my little girl looked up at me as I was reading a bedtime story to her. "Daddy," she asked, "do you think I’m pretty?"
I looked past the wreckage into her wide open brown eyes. "Yes," I said, "I’ll always think you’re pretty."
Now, five years later, dozens of people have commented on Sally’s long, beautiful, wavy, light brown hair. And she is beautiful. I call her "the princess with the golden hair."
I share this family story because this is how it is when we are in God’s family. He looks past the wreckage of our own brokenness. He sees deep inside and He sees far into the future. He knows what’s really there and He knows what will grow in the place what is there now. And He pronounces us beautiful. That is what we are: the beautiful (or handsome, if you like that better) children of God.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. Dwight and his wife Kim provide prayer ministry for inner healing / transformation and coaching in prayer ministry. He is available to speak to your group or church. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.