YOU ARE LOVED!

And it’s the truth.

This past week, while scanning the tree branches for birds, I was surprised to find a couple of porcupines. I sat for nearly an hour in the frigid winter sun, watching the porcupines eat the bark from the tree limbs. And of course, took way more photos than I could use.

As you well know, you don’t want to cross a porcupine in a sour mood – at least not within striking distance. As I watched the intriguing creatures, the word prickly came to mind.

Sometimes, I feel prickly. Sometimes, other people prickle me. It hurts the most when you are prickled by someone who you feel should give you the most love. Sometimes, life makes me want to be prickly.

Our culture is celebrating Valentine’s Day this week. And what does that have to do with a porcupine and feeling prickly? Well, Valentine’s Day can be one of the most joyous celebrations or the most painful.

The Lord had prepared a Valentine’s Day gift for me when I woke up yesterday. A melody was playing in my mind with some lyrics: “The truth is I am my Father’s child, I make Him proud and I make Him smile… I was made in the image of a perfect King… The truth is I am truly loved by a God who’s good when I’m not good enough… I know who I am because I know who You are… I belong to You. I belong to You.”

There is nothing you can do or say to make Him love you more than He does in this moment.

I got up and played the song. A stirring welled deep inside me as my Father embraced me with a divine hug! It took me a moment to regain my composure as unspeakable joy swelled in my heart and tears flowed from my eyes. His love and acceptance are faithful—always faithful, no matter how prickly I feel or how pricked I am by others.

And prickly doesn’t faze the Father. He’s faithful in removing quills—whether you’ve been barbed by someone else or have just realized the presence of bristles in your life.

In Jesus, you are the Father’s child. There is nothing you can do or say to make Him love you more than He does in this moment. You may feel prickly within or are being prickled without, but it doesn’t change the truth. You are loved! And you are worthy of God’s love because of Jesus’ life given for you.

Who would have thought Jesus could reveal His love from a porcupine encounter?

The Truth, Megan Woods

FEATURED INSPIRATIONAL PHOTO

Prickly Porcupine

“Prickly Porcupine”

While searching for birds, I unexpectedly found a couple of porcupines and spent an hour watching them eat bark in the winter sun. Their prickly nature prompted me to reflect on how we sometimes feel—prickly and sometimes prickled by others. This Valentine’s Day, be reminded that God’s love remains constant, no matter how prickly life feels. I am Creator’s child, fully loved and accepted. Even through a porcupine, Jesus reveals a deeper understanding of His faithful love.