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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

Chosen

 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

Christmas was only days away and we still didn’t have a tree. Living on a college-student’s budget with our first baby on the way, we were scraping by and couldn’t bring ourselves to spend $25-50 on something we didn’t need. It seemed kind of trivial when I told God how sad I felt that we couldn’t afford a Christmas tree. Then I felt guilty knowing there were others who needed so much more.

On our way home from a friend’s house the Sunday night before Christmas, my husband, J.J. and I noticed the tree lot near our apartment had marked all their trees down to $10! Grins stretched across our faces as we made plans to buy one Monday night as soon as J.J. got home from his part-time job.

The next evening we walked down each row of the tree lot looking for just the right spruce to fit in the corner of our one-bedroom apartment. Feeling sentimental and slightly maternal, I realized that picking our first Christmas tree was going to be almost as difficult as choosing our child’s name.

I took way too much time. The sun went down quickly, the tree-lot started to close and the spotlights shut down. There we were, standing in the pitch dark without a tree.

My creative and very patient husband pulled his car into the rows of trees and flashed on his high beams.  Suddenly, the bright lights dispelled the darkness and standing in front of me was the most precious tree I’d ever seen. Although it had some droopy branches and a gap on one side, I pointed at it and told J.J., “That’s the one I want!”

Later that night, with my hands wrapped around a cup of hot cocoa, I sat on our couch looking at our little tree. I remembered how sad I felt earlier when the darkness made it impossible to see the trees. Yet, when the beams of light illuminated the lot, my heart filled with hope.

Etched in my mind was a picture I wouldn’t forget, a memory that drew me back to another time marked by darkness – a time when I wasn’t choosing, but needed to be chosen.

Just when it felt like all my dreams had died and my hope was gone, the Light of God’s unfailing love punctured the clouds of darkness and depression surrounding my mind. It happened on another cold winter’s eve in January 1989 while I was sitting in the balcony of a church hoping to hear something that would fill the empty places in my heart. Feeling His Spirit tugging on my heart, whispering words I longed to hear, I sensed God saying, “Renee, you are the one I want.”

He’d been trying to tell me for years, but I had allowed the wounds of my past and the words of others to convince me that no one would ever want me.

At some point, I think most of us have felt like the little Christmas tree and me. Scarred by disappointments, we wonder if anyone would ever choose us. With gaps that make us feel like candidates for rejection, we hope no one will notice our inadequacies. And like the fate of my spruce pine, it seems the only way we’ll get chosen is if all the good ones are picked first.

First Peter 2:9 reminds us that through Christ we are chosen! God sent His Son to light our darkness and fill the gaps in our hearts. Sweet friend, I pray that you will hold onto the truth that God sees you today, and He wants you to hear Him declaring with all His heart, “You are the one I want!”

Dear Lord, that spruce pine and I have a lot in common. Even with my gaps and broken branches, You chose me and made me part of Your family through Jesus. Thank You for sending Your Son to bring Light in the dark corners of my life and to bring endless hope to my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Today, I’m also sharing this post on Karen Ehman’s blog as part of her 12-days of Christmas giveaways, and giving away a special gift pack that includes:

  • A signed copy of my book, A Confident Heart
  • A “Living in the Security of God’s Promises” – printable
  • A Bath & Body Words Christmas treat
  • A Starbucks gift card

To enter once, click “Share Your Thoughts” below. To enter twice, enter below and hop over to Karen’s blog to enter again.

 

Comments

  2. What a great lesson, thank you so much for sharing, it is something I really needed to hear. I am going to have to keep it handy, so that I can read it when I am feeling like having a pity party!
    Ellie 🙂

  3. I love your heart and your spirit! I can’t get enough right now! Thanks for teaching me God’s truths!

  4. Thank you so much for your thoughts, Renee. It is so wonderful to know the truth that God loves us, broken branches and all. Have a wonderful Christmas!

  7. Thank you for this. As we go into Christmas I wk remember this story and the fact that I and chosen not because I am perfect but despite the fact that I’m not.

  8. Thanks for reminding me that God chose me. Been struggling with feelings of inadequacy the last couple of weeks so the reminder was much needed.

  9. We decorated our tree this evening with only the Christmas tree lights on. We’ve started a new tradition by getting two memorial decorations, one for my father and one for my husband’s brother. Each year we will add family members who have gone on ahead of us.

  10. Thank you so much for your words of encouragment. I too carry many scars inside and out, but Jesus loves and heals in spite of ourselves. My wish is to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment and then I will be whole.

  11. Amen ! JESUS chose us when HE went to the cross so that those who believe in HIM will be with HIM forever. HIS precious HOLY SPIRIT lives in HIS children and we are to share that hope with others who are down , depressed, injured or diseased as well as those who just don’t know HIM. Let us all bless someone this season who is left out, unloved, abused or who has lost a loved one.

  12. When fear & insecurity set in it is hard to feel good much less chosen; but I believe you are right. I need a job or I won’t get into Jan. I would appreciate prayer for peace, hope,& faith in action.

  14. This is the 2nd time, I have read the scripture about being a chosen race, a royal priesthood, etc. God knew I need the reminder that I am chosen by God to be his. Some days I feel like that little imperfect tree, but by His grace I am learning to accept that He chose me to be his daughter. Thanks for the reminder.

  19. What a beautiful story. God’s love and acceptance of our flaws hidden in the darkness brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it. He is so forgiving, understanding, loving, patient and compassionate. I wonder why it takes some of us so long to wrap ourselves in His warm embrace . It is such a wonderful place to be.

  20. Thank you for sharing this story and also for the Christmas prayer/poem you sent out – I loved it!

  22. Thank-you for a wonderful and a much needed visual message. Sometimes , especially around the holidays,when we are going through trials and don’t feel wanted or loved it’s a message like this we can cling to. I know that while I may not be wanted and loved by some I am loved and I am chosen by God just like you chose that little Christmas tree, blemishes and all.
    Blessings to you and yours this Christmas and the New Year too!

  25. Absolutely loved opening my email to read your latest story. The title caught me immediately…..I have felt exactly this way all my life as well, still do most of the time…..made many bad choices due to my lack of confidence and self esteem…..assuming that no one wanted me around…..to make the long story short, I finally heard God speaking to me too, and amazingly the turning point came through a group my girls were attending, called “Chosen”!!! We’ve moved to a new town now and my girls were the inspiration in my heeding God’s call to start a “Chosen” group! So, here I am “chosen” by God to let young girls know they are “chosen” also…..He has a special plan for all of us and I never, ever would have thought He could use me!

    “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” Col. 3:12

  26. Your devotional reminded me of my past when I so longed for acceptance and affirmation. I am chosen and precious in His sight.

  27. I am so thankful that God doesn’t need us to be perfect before He wants us. Heaven knows I would never make it! It’s by grace alone that I am His.

    Thank you Renee for this encouragement.

  28. Thank you for reminding us that God wants us no matter what gaps we have or how droopy our branches are.

  29. I love how real and applicable you make this simple truth to each of our lives. Yet it is so profound. I cannot be reminded enought how precious we are because He chose us. Thanks, renee. God bless you richly during this beautiful season.

  30. I have a friend who was brought up with a kind of works theology. I have tried for years to convince her that she was indeed chosen by God and that nothing that she has done in her life has changed that. With your kind permission, I will be sharing your post and your site with her. Maybe she will believe you (with a little push from me). Merry Christmas!

  32. Thanks Renee for always reminding me that I am beautiful and God loves me so much. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

  34. I believe your message was written today to speak to me. I received it in my inbox an hour after I had a breakdown crying out to God as to why my husband no longer wants me and wants a divorce. I am reminded that God has chosen me even if no one else has. Thank you Renee for this powerful message of hope for me! God bless you and have a wonderful Christmas!

  35. Renee, I wish I could carry you in my pocket to remind me of this all the time! I can get so wrapped up in my “trials” that I forget that the loving, Almighty Creator is also behind the trials and is helping me through them. I see my friends going through such heavy times and I can’t do anything but pray for them and offer an encouraging word. I’ve read your book and love it! Thank you so much for sharing your life with us.

  36. I feel like that little tree with its gaps and scars. My kids and I have had a very difficult year and I see myself in the mirror aging faster than Mary Kay or Oil of Olay can keep up with. I am so thankful to be reminded that Christ chose me and that I chose to answer his call.

  38. I needed this post today. Feeling rather low today due to a few things going on and I was really blessed by your words. Thank you for being used of the Lord to share His love with others and encourage weary hearts.

  39. I feel this way very often. Especially now as we are living with my parents that are not church goers and my girls are picking things up that is not of God. I feel like a failure often and a bad mother. We don’t have insurance and that just adds to the failure. I’ve been job hunting for over a year. I finally found something but it is making very very little but its a job. My husband does work but his hours are all over the place. I needed to read this today because we are really trying to give up all our control and our plans and dreams for His plans and dreams to be fulfilled in our lives. Even if I don’t win I ask you pray God will work in our lives to glorify Him in all we do!!!!!

  41. I can hear your voice as I read your message. Thank you for the reminder that God chose me. I needed to hear that today.

  47. After spending time with the Father I read this and it just reinforced what the Father had put in my Spirit that He did choose me. Thank You for being faithful to the Holy Spirit in sharing this. Many blessings to you and yours.

  49. A real tree! I love the time together with family to decorate it, and then sitting in the dark and turning on the warm glow of the Christmas tree lights.

  50. I’m wrapping up a study on your book A Confident Heart this week with women from my church. Thank you for sharing yourself and what God has taught you. It’s been the best small group I’ve ever been a part of because women are choosing to believe Truth and pursue God. I am so grateful.