This darling girl and her precious big brother hold the keys to my heart. They fill my life with laughter, and remind me that God looks at me with joy like a father who delights in his children. 
He accepts me, loves me, befriends me, disciplines me, cherishes me, provides for me. He sees me.
I John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.“

For years, when I heard reminders about the promises found in God’s Word, the intended comfort fell flat. When I thought of God’s promises, I could only think of those that promised unhappiness to any who didn’t meet the mark. 
Promises of happiness? 
Oh, but there are serious consequences and misery coming: I did not obey perfectly. 
Promises of rest?
Oh, but I hadn’t worked hard enough and didn’t deserve it. 
Promises of acceptance as God’s child, with my sins coveted by Jesus’ sacrifice?
Oh, but surely I couldn’t be *fully* welcomed – my motives had been wrong. 
I’ll never forget the day when I was realized that I was relying on my own work to merit my position in God’s family. I stopped trusting in my own strength and began trusting in the only One who could save me from myself and my sin. 
Romans 5:1 “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

A key turning point in my life was a relationship with a friend who completely loved and accepted me for who I was. A close relationship with a friend who didn’t condescend or expect perfection but simply loved me. They did not constantly correct, chide, or belittle, and it softened my heart as I saw an example of Christlike love in a new way. 
I so deeply long to show Christ to my children through my love for them! I work hard to mirror that kind of powerful acceptance and love to them.

A difficult but essential flipside is that while God’s Word teaches us to forgive and love unreservedly, it does not command us to stay in close community with those who manipulate, reject true forgiveness, show disrespect, are dishonest. If their behavior is toxic to our ability to set our mind on the truth of our position in Christ, it is not sinful to distance ourselves from their immediate influence.

I John 4:20-21