You Are My Sunshine
I've always desired to feel loved and wanted. Growing up, I was the third child in our home. My parents were good parents, they worked hard, were generous, caring and kind. However, much of my parents’ energy and attention was focused on some difficulties they were experiencing.
After five years of marriage, I birthed my firstborn. My daughter. I found that being a mom is one of the most wonderful jobs in the world. The deep love I have for her came as a delightful surprise. I didn't realize a person could love their child this much!
One year, while tucking my daughter into bed, I sang the "you are my sunshine" song. It’s my own version of the song—I change the lyrics a bit. The song usually goes a little something like this:
"You are my sunshine, my very sunshine, I am so glad that God made you. I love you so much, you are so precious and I love you forevermore."
I sing this song over again while laying with her in bed, snuggling and kissing her. Her face beaming with joy—with the sweetest smile—knowing her mommy is gaga over her, knowing she's loved.
While singing this song one evening, I started feeling sad. I took a brief moment to explore what was happening in my heart.
I realized this kind of expression of love wasn't part of my experience growing up. Although I was not neglected or uncared for by my parents, they were good parents, yet I still didn't know if I was loved and wanted by them because I needed more affection and verbal affirmation of being loved.
Quickly, I looked to the Lord and said, "I wish my parents had been like this with me.”
He said "I sing this song to you."
Over the next several days, I continued to sing this song to my daughter. Every time I did, God quietly whispered, "I’m singing this song right now over you too."
I dismissed the "thought" over and over again. After several days of God's continual whisper "I’m singing this song over you" I responded with unbelief, “Are You really singing this song over me? Do You really love me like this?"
"Yes. I’m singing this song over you. Why don’t you believe Me?"
Call me Thomas (who is Thomas?), because I doubted. I doubted hardcore.
I doubted God was whispering this to me. I doubted God was looking at me with the deep love and excitement that I have towards my daughter.
That evening, my friend came to my home. In the midst of her visit, she told me she had a gift for me. She pulled out a wooden picture box. “God said “get this for Liz. I sing this to her.””
She handed me the gift—I was in shock. Tears flooded my eyes as I looked at the wooden picture box that read “You Are My Sunshine."
He really does sing this song to me?
He really did hear and see me singing this to my daughter?
He really does love me like this?
Friends—yes. The answer is an absolute YES.
Seeing God's tangible way of showing me His love through this wooden picture box helped bring healing to my childhood wound.
Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He rejoices over you with joy; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing."
We are His children—He really does love us outrageously. Unconditionally. With affection and joy toward us.
The love and affection we craved as kids, but perhaps didn't get in the ways we would’ve preferred, can be found in our Maker. Our Father, our Daddy in heaven. The love we've always wanted is here.
In the moments of feeling unloved, unseen, or even unheard by God, He is looking at us and singing songs of GREAT DELIGHT over us.
CHALLENGE
| 1 |
Invite God into your childhood memories where you felt unloved. Ask Him for healing in these memories, and to reveal His love for you in those specific moments. What's He saying about you, and to you, regarding these times of feeling unloved?
| 2 |
Take a couple moments, without rushing, and let a song of love wash over you. Perhaps the You are My Sunshine song or a different love song. Imagine God singing these words of love over you.
YOU ARE SO LOVED.
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