“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:14

I was recently asked, “If you could tell your teenage self one thing, what would it be?” And I immediately knew my answer: “God loves you.” A few days later as I thought back on that question I lol’d to myself. It’s the same thing I’d tell my 5 year old self and my 25 year old self and my now 37 year old self. 

As a very focused, goal driven kid, it was easy for me to think that achievements=love. BTW, no one ever said that to me or put that on me. I put that on me. And sadly, that deeply engrained belief is one that I easily slip into believing again and again even though I know it isn’t true. 

The truth is that God loves me no matter what.

But the lie I sometimes still believe is that if I fail or if I’m not producing amazing things, then I’m unlovable. I know, that’s a deep confession for a simple Monday email. But I wanted to write it here for anyone who might be like me and needs to be reminded that God loves you too. 

Maybe you’ve made “goals” for 2025, and you already find yourself failing or falling behind. Psst…God loves you. Just you. Not you + anything. That's it. 

God loves you. And me.

Oh, and for your enjoyment, here’s baby Vera, ever so focused.