There is nothing better than tucking my kids into bed after a long day and feeling like I loved them well. I will gladly toot my own horn after a full 24 hours of defusing meltdowns, keeping a reign on my temper, and showcasing the patience of a saint. But the truth is that those days are few and far between. More often than not, I end the day frazzled, exhausted, and wondering if I expressed my love well enough.
I wonder if when I yelled, “Don’t touch that! It’s hot!” my kids heard what I was trying to say: “I love you, and I don’t want you to get hurt.” I wonder if they’re going to grow up traumatized because I lost my temper when they were playing too rough and knocked over a picture frame. I wonder if I should have hugged them one more time before bed.
Some days I wonder if my kids felt loved enough, but I have never wondered if they actually were loved enough. I know exactly how overwhelming and unconditional the love I have for them is, no matter how they feel at the end of the day.
And God loves me the same way—regardless of how I feel at the end of the day.
I may not go to bed feeling treasured, valued, or respected. Sometimes the world leaves me feeling the exact opposite of those things. Sometimes I feel further away from God than I did when I woke up, but that doesn’t change how deeply loved I am by my Savior.
Recently God reminded me that my emotions are not meant to establish truth, they are meant to be driven by His truth.
Feeling alone, unclean, or unworthy does not make me those things. My emotions don’t get to determine my truth. Christ does, and He says that I am redeemed, significant, and righteous.
I no longer say, “I don’t know if I am worthy of Your love.” Instead, I come boldly before the throne and say, “God, today I don’t feel loved. But You have promised that You love me with an everlasting love. I choose to believe Your Words over mine.”
There are some days that I feel guilty for not loving my kids perfectly. But on those same days, I’m so thankful for a God who does.
For a God who fills my lack with His overflow.
For a God whose promises are mightier than my emotions.
And for a God who loves me regardless of how I feel about it.
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.” – 1 John 4:16
Grace Waves 
This is a beautiful post affirming us with God’s love. These words are priceless: “…my emotions are not meant to establish truth, they are meant to be driven by His truth.” Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Joy, I completely agree with you. That phrase stuck out to me as well.
As always, a great post! Filled with hope and a loving reminder to us all that no matter how we feel at the moment God Loves Us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so encouraging and true!
LikeLike
What a beautiful post 🙂 And that does sound like a lovely picture perfect moment. I am sure you are the most amazing Mum 🙂
LikeLike
I loved this!! I know sometimes I forget that regardless of how I FEEL, it doesn’t change the truth of God’s love for me. Its amazing how parenting can offer us so many examples of how God loves us. As moms we can truly understand His love!
LikeLike
Awww this is such a good read, I can relate on so many levels with a toddler (21 months) and a 5 months old, sometimes i feel like my head is spinning out of control at the end of the day. great reminder to focus on LOVE in all the chaos 🙂
LikeLike
I appreciate honesty with which you share. Yes our emotions, i totally get li.
LikeLike
Lovely message and reminder! Perfect thing to keep in mind as I get started with my day after a string of tough ones. Thank you for sharing it 🙂
LikeLike
I love this. I have these exact feelings about how I interact with my kids, and the encouragement is perfect for me. Thank you!
LikeLike
this post is a great way to give yourself some encouragement for the day. enjoyed the read!
LikeLike
Preach it, sister! Why do we do this? Men and women… Let go and let God, right? We shine in His eyes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, I came over here from Stuart’s Post Picks, and glad I did: this is so well-written, and brings out much truth. I agree, our emotions are a gift from God but, like all the other gifts He gives us, we have the ability to use or abuse them. May we remember always that He loves us, and may we allow that to infuse how we feel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for visiting, Kathy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen sister! Great to meet you! God bless you and your family!
LikeLiked by 1 person