I have a give-away and a special “welcome” for new friends hopping over from my Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion. I hope you’ll make yourself comfortable and stay a while. Before we get started, I wanted to show you my book cover!! I can’t believe the cover is in catalogs and the book will be on shelves July 2011! All I can say is wow God.
In my devotion today, I wrote about our longing to be chosen. From the time I can remember, I wanted someone to choose me. To value me. To want me. Someone other than my parents, that is.
Do you remember the first time you wanted someone to choose you? Maybe it was a game on the playground, a position on a team or an invite to a party.
Wanting to be chosen plays into our question of whether we’re good enough to be chosen, doesn’t it? But, when someone says or does something that makes us feel good enough, it fills an empty place in our hearts where the longing was before.
Then they change their mind or hurt our feelings, and our filled-up place leaks. Our good enough drains out and our confidence goes with it. A sense of inadequacy leaves us feeling empty again.
There are several things that have happened to make me feel like I wasn’t good enough. I recently started sharing a part of my story that I hadn’t shared before, and I’ve discovered almost every woman can relate. I don’t have the whole message available today, but I have a 2min video segment that I’d like to share with you.
Note: The first 20 sec are photos/titles because we use this for event promotions, but it’s pretty quick. Just click the arrow to watch, and then scroll down to read the rest of my post. But be sure to watch this first, or it won’t make sense.
More than anything, I just want you to know I understand. I have felt the cavernous emptiness that comes with painful rejection from someone you love. It’s hard to believe I can smile about it now, and share lessons I’ve learned. When it happened, I was devastated. Crushed. Wounded. Convinced I’d never be good enough.
I remember going to my pastor, asking him to help me process the pain and excruciating sadness. I wanted him to tell me how awful my fiancé was and how I had the right to feel betrayed and deceived. I’ll never forget him saying, “Renee, you can’t put your hope in a man; you can only put your hope in God. A man’s love will always disappoint you.”
Honestly, I wanted to throw something at him. I didn’t want him to correct me; I wanted him to side with me. How can you love someone and not put your hope in them? I questioned.
Deep down, though, I knew he was right. I’d always put my hope in a man’s love and been disappointed. I’d tried to find my good enough in what others thought about me and now I had to face my fear of not being chosen.
I needed to separate myself and my worth from a man’s decision to want me or not. I had to hold his words and preferences up to God’s Word and cling to the promise that He chose me and would never reject me. In time, healing came. As I recovered from being unwanted by a man, I embraced the fullness that comes in knowing I am completely accepted by God. I learned how to let Him fill the empty places in my heart and help me find my good enough in Him.
God gave us the deep desire to be chosen, loved and accepted so He could fill and fulfill that desire. He chooses us. He loves us. And through Christ, He accepts us. If we didn’t long for love and acceptance, we’d never recognize our need for His.
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1) Send this post or a link (with God’s promises below) to someone who might need to know just how much God loves them.
2) Tell a friend (via email, twitter or Facebook) about today’s give-away and how they can enter to win here.
3) Share today’s devotion,You’re the One I Want with someone who needs to be reminded that God sees them and chooses them again and again!
4) Click the word “comments” at the bottom of this post, to tell me which one, two or three you did. Each time you share the love, you’ll be entered to win! For another chance, let me know if and how God spoke to your heart through today’s messages.
Confident Heart Promises
When I feel unimportant, God says: I am CHOSEN.
“You are my witness,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He.” Is 43:10
When I feel worthless, God says: I am LOVED.
“You are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you.” Is 43:4
When I feel forgotten, God says: I am REMEMBERED.
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Is 49:16
When I feel abandoned, God says: I am NEVER ALONE.
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge… Ps 73:28
When I feel inadequate, God says: I am SECURE.
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” Deut 33:12
Check back Monday for more encouragement, my final Christmas give-away and the name of today’s winner! If you’d like to be notified, you can sign up in my sidebar for email updates, follow me in Google connect, or friend me on Facebook!
A friend sent this to me, and I truly needed it. It is amazing how God speaks to us. I look forward to receiving emails from proverbs 31 ministries!! I sent it to my mother in law, friend and sisters. Thank you again!! :)LAM FAM LOVE
Have a blessed Wednesday.
A friend sent this to me, and I truly needed it. It is amazing how God speaks to us. I look forward to receiving emails from proverbs 31 ministries!! I sent it to my mother in law, friend and sisters. Thank you again!! :)LAM FAM LOVE
Have a blessed Wednesday.
I friended you on FB too!
I email the devotions daily during the workweek to family and friends, and today is no exception. Someone is always blessed with the words of the P31 sisters.
Renee:
I will be sharing this with my entire email contact list. I have so many lonely and hurting friends this Christmas. Your message is relevant, timely and much needed.
Thank you,
Thank you, Renee, for reminding me that God loves me just as I am. A year or so ago, I had a man tell me after 4 years of dating that he could not marry me. It was because I was "gaining weight", and my children were still in my home with me. But now I have found a great Christian man who loves me just as I am and loves my kids, too! I am forwarding your devotion to several of my friends today to share God's love with them! Merry Christmas! God Bless!
I'm sharing your post in a variety of ways today. I'm emailing it to a group of women I count among my "prayer warrior" friends. I am also having lunch with friends today and will share it with them too. Thanks for always sending a blessing my way!
The words you wrote always seem to be a personal message for me. God Is Good and I know he is working thru you. Thanks, THANKS,
Yvonne
Thank you so much for today's devotion. I forwarded it to several of my friends this morning, posted it on facebook and even printed the promises. It really was what I needed to hear this morning. I am always amazed at how God does this. When I have a question or thought in my head or am feeling down, God always reveals His answers and gives me encouragement. Today He used your message to be my encouragement. I look forward to reading your book in July.
I also sent the devotional to my sister via email. 🙂
Lindsey
This is just what I've been needing to hear, thank you so much for sharing your heart! I came from the Proverbs 31 devotional site, really enjoyed your devotional, too. I shared this post and giveaway on my Facebook wall! And I am so preordering your book as soon as I can!
Lindsey
kindredspiritreviews at gmail dot com
Thank you for your encouragement. I am sharing this with my sister & my friend. Thank you!
I have been struggling recently and praying for God to give me confidence in who I am in Him and who He has created me to be! Several times a week I read the daily devotion but decided to read your blog for the first time. I was encouraged to see you have a new book coming out A Confident Heart (just for me)! I look forward to reading it.
1) I sent a link to your blog post to my bible study girls!
2) I posted on facebook the giveaway and a link to Proverbs 31 ministries.
3) I sent a link of todays daily devotion to my bible study girls, my sisters and mom!
Thank you! I am sure they will be as encouraged as I am!
This really hit home for me. Thank you. I have been placing too much importance on what others think of me and not rejoicing with the One who has chosen me for all eternity! Thanks again.
I posted this to my Facebook wall, forwarded the link to my sister and sent the email to my daughter. Everyone needs the reminder of God's love! 🙂
I will share this with my teenage daughter. She often feels rejected at this stage in her life. I want her to know God chose her. He will never change His mind.
Dora
Thank you. This is a message I have needed all my life. I have been rejected by men most of my life starting with my father and lastly by my husband. How I need God to fill the empty places. I need to know there is man that will never reject me or change his mind.
Dot
I sent today's devotion to friends via email on facebook. I also left a comment on the P31 blog. This devotion was such a blessing to me…as I indicated on P31, I am encouraged as I draw nearer to God but this has led to interpersonal struggles. Your devotional was a great encouragement. Thank you!
Thank you so much for the devotion today as well as the choosing His Presence one…I have sent both of them to several people and printed the Presence one out for me to read each day during the holidays! Grateful for the devotions…there is a very broken girl staying with us at the moment..praying she will read the one I sent her.
I emailed this devotion to several ladies I know. What a great reminder that God chose me! Thank you so much for this lesson.
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing today! I needed to hear this, as I struggle with my own perfectionism and need the reminder that it's not about *me*, but it's all about HIM.
Not only that, but my 13yo daughter is really struggling with her confidence in Christ. She is so aware of her own spiritual shortcomings, that it is overwhelming to her sometimes. I have shared your devotional with her.
I have done all 3 things – I have linked a friend to the giveaway, sent the devotional to my daughter, and also emailed your post and the promises to a friend!
Thank you!
I sent the link to your blog to my neice in Pa. And today's devotion to my sister here in Fl. I rarely win anything, but I'm hopeful!
I can relate totalyy to your devotion today
Darlene Mullet
I posted a link to the devotion to my facebook page. i also shared the devotion with a friend via e-mail.
This devotion went along perfectly with what God is doing in my life right now. I am reading Micca Campbell's book and the Lord is really speaking to me about trusting Him. Thank you for your sharing and encouragement.
Thank you for these words of encouragement! I have shared this post with my Facebook friends!
I sent today's devotion to a friend I don't see very often. It's good to know that God is there and wants her when I wish I were there with her as well.
Hi,
I sent the devotion to several friends. I hope it will encourage them as it has me. I have been longing to feel like I belong – anywhere. This really speaks to me today!
Thank you!
Seeing your book cover brings tears to my eyes!!! I loved your devo and I love your testimony. I love you!!
I'm sharing this on Facebook.
I could hardly finish this post but I had to comment…LOOK AT YOUR BOOK COVER! Congratulations, girl. It's been a long time comin' – she is lovely 🙂
Oh Renee this is beautiful! You are so precious…love you so much!
I have a group of women that are prayer warriors at my church and I sent it to myself first to be able to forward it on my email, and then all the other friends, (too many to count) so the word has been spread. Praise God! A lot of women will hear your word today!
The Lord is going to Show Out today!
Thank you Renee—I feel Jesus led me here—I emailed your devotion to three friends who are praying for me at this time—-I am feeling rejected by my husband of 39 years who walked away—I know Jesus is holding me up but there are times I feel alone–Thank you for your blog–God Bless Alberta Griffith
I am emailing this to friends. It's so important to hear this – especially during the holidays. Thanks again!
Today I sent this to my sister in law. She just accepted the lord this past Sunday. We went to church together for the first time at her suggestion. She has been searching for a long time and I finally said, "you need god". That is all I said because Ididn't want to push. that was enough and now she is beginning a new wonderful life filled with god
Renee,
Can't wait to read your book. I have forwarded the links to your devotion, posted it on my facebook and sent out tweets. Hope it blesses others. Proverbs 31 Minitries has been such a blessing in my life over the last year or so and I cannot speak enough praise as to how all the ladies have ministered to me through their personal journey's toward wholeness.
Christmas Blessings.
Juli
I am forwarding the devotion to friends. [email protected]
Thank you for today's devotion! Your words are awesome and inspirational. I posred the link to the devotion on Facebook; so many people can benefit from this especialy around this time of the year.
Thank you!!!
Tonya
Your message today was what my sould needed. At 42 I have finally found a man that will never leave or forsake his name is Jesus. My biological father left me, I saw him once at seven, and held his hand when he died at forty. I wasted so many years of not knowing this man because of anger and guilt. Due to being left I always look for someone to fill a fathers shoes. Someone to step up and take care of me. Someone to want this outspoken, athletic, fun-loving, lady. A man I call dad now adopted me however, that daddy daughter relationship never formed. He provides for finanacial needs but emotional not so much. Then I latched on to every guy I ever dated trying to fill that void. What a mess. I married a man I love him dearly, but you guessed it he could not fill the void. I have two wonderful boys and they too could not fill the void. The only one was Jesus. It took hardship after hardship…whys…what is wrong with me….why am I not able to be loved like everyone else then the best gift of all Jesus. I am not able to tell you the exact date or time frame but since I realized He is the only Man who truly loves me for me, life has been amazing. Thanks for your words today I needed them. I cannot wait to read your book because as we know Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I will need your book to put him back into his place under the rock of my Lord and Savior. Merry Christmas,Daphne
What a wonderful message to share! For all of my teen years, I based my opinion of myself largely on what the guys thought of me. Heartbreak after heartbreak finally led me to the One who will never leave me or disappoint me. This is now a message that I wish every teen girl would hear and grasp.
I have forwarded this e-mail version of this post to a few close friends and posted a link to the blog on Facebook.
Thank you for sharing your testimony!
Hey Renee,
I'm in. Such a great word. I shared this link with a friend of mine who's really needing some encouragement today.
Paula G.
I shared today's devotion with both my daughter and daughter-in-law. They are both amazing but over-worked moms who don't hear how great they are nearly often enough.
I am always amazed to find how many other women deal with the feeling of insecurity and self-esteem. Sometimes I feel I am out there alone. Thank you for reminding me that I am created the image of God, how cool is that? I have the spirit of the creator of the universe living in me, awesome! Thank you for reminding me.
Renee,
Thank you so much for this wonderful uplifting piece.It came at the perfect time for my feeling of an unchosen heart. God always amazes me with his timing, when I feel so low. I sent this to 3 friends via e-mail, who I am certain it will uplift and encourage.
God Bless you…
Margo I sent this to some of my friends. This touched me so much a tear was running down my cheek as I read it. Thank you.
Amazing is all I can say. I sent the devotional to my daughter and my niece. I cried because the words written was what I needed to read! I read it out loud because I needed to hear them. The last two years have been what I call a place from a place. Being unemployed for those last two years have brought me to a place of feeling unwanted, unneeded, unappreciated, useless, worthless, guilt, ashamed, and depressed. I have revisited places in my life that had caused much pain the death of my 11years old son, the stupid and crazy mistakes I've maded in life, and other areas of weaknesses. Telling myself i desreve to be be where i am! To read your devotional has lift my heart to know that Yes, Jesus Loves Me!!! In spite of what the enemy is trying to do I can trust in God's love.
God is a good God faithful and true to His word
i believe from to today that He fills that empty place in my heart.
The hurt and disappointments and take me back to our quiet time alone
have blessed season filled with His great love for us
Thank you so much you have touched me and give me hope again
God Bless
I friended you on Facebook and I emailed your devotion to my friend. Thanks for sharing! I think many women feel the same way you did-perhaps we all do at one point in our lives.
Visit me at A Busy Woman's Life http://www.abusywomanslife.com
God woke me at 5am. He has missed the time I was spending in His word. What a treasure today's message…I share with with my mentor Julie. I tell my teen daughter God fills the empty spaces…it is good for me to hear the same for me.
blessings
Kay
God woke me at 5am. He has missed the time I was spending in His word. What a treasure today's message…I shared with with my mentor Julie. I tell my teen daughter God fills the empty spaces…it is good for me to hear the same for me.
blessings
Kay
Well, I posted this to 332 of my facebook friends. It really spoke to me. And I told them all about the contest too. It took some time, but I'm sure it will speak to someone else as well. Thanks for the words of encouragement! I knew God had something for me the 4:00 am.
Hi i thank you for the encouragement i open my heart today for Him to fill the empty places
i have send it to two people via e-mail
God bless you
not sure this counts, but i posted the devotion to my facebook page. it is really awesome! thanks for sharing, i needed to hear this! : )