I have aunt whose name is Nancy. Lydia remembers Aunt Nancy reading to her when she came to visit us last year. In fact, Aunt Nancy read just about every book Lydia could find! Then, on our family vacation in July, we saw her again. Later, Aunt Nancy also mailed Lydia some books for us to read.
I also recently met a lady named Nancy at our church. I called her, and left a voice mail. When she returned my call, Lydia got excited (and a bit confused!).
Besides these lovely ladies, we received the book Fancy Nancy from a cousin in the mail. Lydia and I often quote the book to each other, as we really enjoy it!
It’s fair to say the name “Nancy” has been a hot topic around our house!
While I was on the phone with Nancy from church, Lydia was jumping and singing. “Aunt Nancy, Aunt Nancy…. She’s my favorite!”
After I got off the phone, I tried to explain a few things to Lydia. First, we don’t sing loudly when someone is on the phone. Second, there are two different “Nancys.” I explained how Aunt Nancy is my aunt, so she is Lydia’s great-aunt.
I thought I did a pretty good job—until Lydia began twirling and singing again. Loudly. Off-key. “Great Nancy! She’s my favorite! My Nancy! Aunt Nancy, Nancy! I looooove her!”
Lydia will gain better understanding someday. For now, I am going to enjoy her singing…
“Great Nancy! She’s my favorite! My Nancy! Nancy, Nancy! I looooove her!” Soon, I was able to envision God doing the same thing. (Though, I doubt He sings off-key!)
The Bible says God delights in each of us. He sings and dances at the thought of me and Y-O-U. Can you sense His excitement?! He protects us and watches over us while we sleep. Even when we are totally unaware, God still adores us.
As if that is not enough, our Creator God is more than able to love each of us in personal ways. It is not good for parents to play favorites—because we don’t do it well. But, Father God, in His grace and wisdom, takes great joy in each of us as individuals.
Do you understand what this means? Yes! YOU are His favorite! (And so am I!) God thinks of you every moment. He has you written on the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16).
But when Life gets tough, it is easy to forget God’s love. We can’t always sense God’s loving presence. But He is there nonetheless. He calls you by name, and has fashioned you for a specific purpose. He loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
So let’s make this personal. Insert YOUR name here, and imagine God singing about you!
“Great ________! He/She’s my favorite! My ________! ________, _______! I looooove him/her!”
Listen. Can you hear it?
Then share this with the next person you see-—more than likely, they need to hear it too.
Hi Natalie and Lydia,
Love the story about that sweet, sweet little girl. She is clearly the star of all the reunion photos. Hope they get to the website soon.
For me, the verse from Zephaniah stood out as I head to a second surgery in about as many months. Didn’t plan it, don’t want it, but it is where God is pointing , and He is making it possible and is glad that I will be dancing again soon like Lydia. Singing, not so much. WAAAY off key.
Thanks for your lovely words to help your reader realize what a friend we have in Jesus, what a Father in our God. We do forget, but I am getting a good dose of remembering because i am once again feeling very, very dependent. Perhaps, sometime, I will draw closer when the going is good, too.
Love you lots, dear one,
Aunt Maggie
Hi Aunt Maggie,
Thanks for your feedback. I am sorry about your upcoming surgery, especially since you seem to be doing so well. Let me know the details as it gets closer. We’ll certainly be keeping you in prayer.
Yes, God is always with us, even if we don’t know the direction He is taking us. He keeps reminding me to go deeper too…in the good times and bad.
Love you so!
Natalie