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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

  1. Thank you for sharing. In that stressful place right now, this is so timely! Would love to have your book!

  3. Thank you for this post today! I the world we live in today, it`s too easy to forget that God loves us no matter what. Even if we have a few gaps in our ” branches” we are always prescious in His sight.

  4. I so needed to read this today!! My life is so stressfull I can hardly see straight. I am losing my health insurance and probably my job. My feelings are still hurt from comments my husband made last night. There are family issues beyond my control. I find myself wondering where God is in all of this and then your post reminds me that He chose me, I am His!!! I need to look away from the stress and look at Jesus because He’s right there!

    Thanks and Merry Christmas Renee!!!

  6. Thank you for this post. I feel a gap, things in my life are not going the way I “want” I need to remember it is Gods plan I need to look for and wait in his arms. I can feel him on monment and gone the next. I always remember you saying put your name in the scripture and make it personal. That does help me so much. thanks, Have a Blessed Holiday

  7. LOVE this post, thank you for sharing. I have so been feeling inadequate these days, and have been missing the real reason for the season, trying to get back to being real during Christmas!!
    🙂

  10. Such a beautiful breath of hope. In a world filled with “comparrisons” and peer pressures, we so desperately need this message. Women (young and old) need to hear and believe this hope…God chose me. He loves us enough to shine His light on us and give us a role in His incredible plan. Thank you,Renee. Your messages never fail to be exactly what I need for the day. I am so very thankful to call you a “sister in Christ”.

    ~Danita

  11. Great post – such a good reminder when we get so busy with all the external things of Christmas!

  12. Your post gave me encouragement. No money for gifts this year. Praying God would provide for this. If not, then I will praise Him who knows better than myself His will for me. Blessings

  15. I understand where you are coming from in your devotion today. I accepted Christ as my Savior when i was in Junior High but walked away from him after high school. I was in a very bad place when God sent my husband to rescue me from drugs and alcohol. Our faith has deepened over the last ten years. We have studied the Bible and gotten to know Christ in a whole new way.

  16. Renee: Thank you so much for this timely message. I love your hear and am always enlightened by your insights. Chosen is a marvelous word to describe the depth of the Father’s love for us and the lengths to which He went to show His love for us. If we keep this in mind as we go through our days, even the greatest challenges can seem easier. Thank you for brightening our days.

  19. Renee,
    I know all too well how it feels to be surrounded by the clouds of darkness and despair. However, to know that God loves me, in spite of all of my imperfections, brings about feelings of hope and love. God’s love is so awesome and precious. One year ago tomorrow, God showed me that He has chosen me when He allowed my 1 year old daughter at the time and myself to walk away from a car accident that left my SUV totaled after flipping on the highway 5 times. I know God to be faithful, I’ve tried Him and I know above all the promises He fulfills everyday. Thank you Renee for being a vessel that is being used by God to uplift and encourage God’s children. I love your book and can’t wait to pass it one of my friends. It has been a true blessing in my life.
    Tia

  20. Renee:

    Thanks so much for sharing. I am that little sad Christmas tree too. But in God’s eyes I am perfect! Thank goodness for what He believes I am. I wish I could remember it every minute of every day! You are always so encouraging and speak words to how I feel. I would love to meet you as I am sure we would be immediate friends. Your ministry is making a BIG difference in my life!

    Tobi

  21. Renee,

    Thank you so much for sharing. So often that’s the way I feel. I feel like there is no one out there who lvoes me, not even God. I don’t know how he can love me if no one else does, but your blog really helped me this morning. Sometimes I feel so distant from God, like I want to pray and read my Bible but i just can’t “find the time” so to speak. I have been asking God to set me on FIRE for Him and His Word but it just doesn’t seem to be happening.

  23. I have been out of work since April of this year and although I have applied for so many jobs, I too have felt “picked over” each time I wasn’t chosen for a position. I have tried my best to not let the rejection be so hurtful however with each new book I read such as yours or Lysa’s or Perry Noble’s and now Karen Ehman’s Let.It.Go; I am so much stronger in the Lord and I have grown to put my faith on my calling for Him. I know God will lead me to the job He wants for me. Have a wonderful Christmas. Nancy

  25. I feel the same way. When I finally, really turned to God, my darkness was bad and my life shattered. Now I know if God could choose me, in the state I was in, He must really love me. Thanks for all your encouraging words.

  26. Thanks Renee you are truly a blessing. It’s good to be reminded that God loves us inspite of our flaws. He chosen us and there is nothing we need to do. There is no works great enough for God to choose us since he already has out of his love and through this salvation. It gives me a sense of peace and hope knowing God will meet our needs we are on his mind and heart. I really enjoyed seeing you at the conference her in Raleigh. I really wanted to win your gift pack you had such inspiring words. I have been throwing away paper for any thought that does not line up with God’s. Hope to read your book soon. Blessing to you and your family. I hope your son foot is much better.

  27. Thank you for this thoughtful, powerful message today. I am reading A Confident Heart and have intentions of buying that book for several friends. I too feel like that small, insignificant tree that no one wants. Thank you for reminding me God never throws us away or gives up on us. We, on the other hand, tend to give up too quickly when things don’t work out when or how we think they should. I’m praying that I will just trust and let God take care of the big picture. Thank you Renee. I’m so grateful you heard God ,but I’m even more grateful you listened and believed. Be so blessed today.

  29. Thank you for reminding all of us that we are chosen and so special to God. I hope I can be such a blessing to someone this Christmas season that they will see just how special they are too!

  30. This is just the message I needed to hear today!! Just as you explained how you felt in the balcony of that church needing to hear God loved you and chose you, that is where I find myself. I have gone through so many hurts and trials, including the death of my husband while we were separated, that I don’t know who I am anymore. I don’t know my purpose or what I am supposed to do now. I struggle with knowing if someone could ever really love me because I didn’t get married until I was 33 and had already had two daughters outside of medlock. My life has been one giant struggle and I know God has been there to love me and see me through holding me through all of it but I just have such a hard time knowing what is next.

  31. This message was just the message I needed to read & I’m sure many others would be blessed by this too! I have for many years struggled with rejection, self-loathing, and trying different things to fill this void; when knowing deep in my spirit that only coming to God with my broken life, would fulfill! Your wonderful, God-inspired messages Renee, have helped me to hope in God again and give me a new perspective on things that I’ve been going through; that I didn’t see before! This particular message says to me: God can make the broken beautiful! This happens when we give God our lives and take our hands off!! I’ve started to realise this in the last 15 months!! Can I encourage any other person who may read these lovely messages Renee and friends post; please take time to read them and open your heart to Jesus! Believe me, you won’t regret doing so!!

    Jo McInnes

  32. Thank you so much for the reminder of how dear we are to God! I always felt I was chosen by default for everything in my life and settled for second best. After my divorce several years ago I jumped head first into my church and have not looked back. God has brought me to places I never dreamed I would be. I have lead 2 small groups of “A confident Heart” and watched womens lives change before my eyes, including mine. I most recently finished a small group on “Unglued”. Proverbs 31 has blessed mine and countless other womens lives beyond belief. I no longer live in the “shadow”. Blessings to all!

  33. Thank you for sharing what God has taught you. I have heard God speaking to me so often through your words. Thank you for this blessing.

  35. What a beautiful reminder that we indeed are chosen to be “bought”and brought into our Fathers everlasting family……..your devotion reminded me of how often I expect perfection and that God is just so accepting of us just the way we are and showers us with His love and grace.
    Thank you for reminding me of how precious we all are to Him xoxox

  37. I still have in my mind that lovely image of the light shining on that tree, my husband would write a whole story about that poor tree being constantly passed by because it wasn’t quite perfect, a little quirky, and then the light shines on it and he is chosen 🙂

  38. Thanks for sharing. I’m in the midst of trying to overcome some sense of rejection from people closest to me.

  39. I really needed to hear this right now. I’ve been feeling dejected & rejected and this really spoke to my heart. Thank you for your words!

  40. Thanks for your reminder that God CHOSE me. I often forget that I am a daughter of the King, beloved to Him. Powerful words today…. Words to ponder…. Thank you…

  42. Hi Renee, God always seems to find us when we feel forgotten and alone in the dark, and on standby due to our imperfections….but then He reminds us that it is about His choosing us….and that makes all the difference in our worth. I’m so glad when I hear echos of His voice that come in various ways. He choose us, He comforts us, and reminds us that we are His delight….I’m so grateful to let His truth replace the lies and appreciate your honesty too.

  43. Artificial tree but I love the whole experience of looking for a real one at a tree farm and then the smell of them

  44. As I nurse and cuddle my newborn each day, I read her devotionals, as well as posting from your website. Your words of encouragement have spoken truth and hope into my life for over a year now and I thank you greatly for your willingness to share your heart. I am encouraged today to remember that I AM chosen by God, something I need to be reminded of frequently. I also realized the responsibility I now have to raise my new daughter to understand the truth of a Heavenly Father that chooses her as well. Thank you!
    PS your blog makes me want to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas 🙂

  45. Thank-you for sharing this story of encouragement. It is truly so awesome to realize that you are special and loved just the way you are by our Heavenly Father .

  46. Thank you for this, Renee! I first heard you on the radio on my way to work in the morning and just your voice was (is) so sweet and encouraging to listen to, that I decided I wanted to look up your blog and sign up for your e-mails. Now I eagerly await your e-mails in my inbox and I feel so refreshed and closer to Jesus after I read your wise words. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are a blessing!

  47. This was perfect. An hour ago, I got off the phone with my ex-husband of 5 years (this week), having him tell me that I am still not good enough, and not doing things the right way. I have a part of my heart telling me, that he is wrong, and that I am doing the best that I can do with 3 pre teenagers, my elderly Father, and being a single head of household, working 2 part time jobs trying to keep a roof over our head…but when I get off the phone with him, I have a pain in my heart saying, your still not good enough! So, I am so thankful that I decided to clean up my email, and there you were, telling me that God does want me, that I am okay, I am worth something. I have so enjoyed your online study, and reading your emails. Last Friday, I got to hear Luann in person speak about how wonderful P 31 is. Thank you for always reaching out, when I need you Renee.

  48. Really hit home today because recently my boyfriend/ ex husband of 8 years have ( I think) finally put an end to our ” on again off again ” relationship. We were dating then married then divorced then attempted to reconcile, and now off again. I’m have mixed emotions because I’m sad that he’s not here yet when were together I’m sad because its such a stressful relationship. I know that I’m just sad now because I feel alone, unwanted and like there is something wrong with me and I’m the only one that doesn’t see it. Reading this today reminded me that I am wanted by the greatest man that ever lived. Best of all he accepts me and all of my imperfections. Thank you for this reading.

  49. Thank you for reminding me that I am wonderfully chosen, and remind me that everyone I meet has probably had moments when they felt unworthy but are equally loved. I treasure your writings. Thanks

  50. Thank you for the reminder I am chosen. Reading your story reminded me that all of humanity feels the need to be “chosen” and not