Accepting His gift of love

God, you think this highly of me? That you would send multiple messengers to me this week, each telling me how much you love me? Telling me that I am a precious gem, that I am not as guilty or marred as I think I am. That all this time I've been shaming myself for not measuring up, you've actually been saying I'm doing well and I'm precious in your sight! And that you say I am close to your heart! How can that be true? I'm just me! Just little old me with my struggles, my opinions, and my judgments! You say that there is healing in all of this and that you don't see me as how I will be and love that person only, but that you love me just as I am now, with everything that I'm going through! And you say you're proud of me! Again, how can that be? I don't deserve those lovely words! You be proud of me? Me? And yet somehow you are. And somehow your thoughts of me are wonderful and outnumber the grains of sand. And you have given me such incredible gifts as a sign of your love! Who knew gifts could be so satisfying? You gave me these because you love me and you know I need them. You know I am blessed by them. And you want to bless me! You enjoy blessing me. Oh, Father, I don't deserve this. You say, "You don't need to deserve it. You can do nothing to buy my blessing. I freely give it to you. I have already done everything necessary for you to enjoy it. Just receive it." God, this goes against everything I've ever known. I always have to perform before I receive an award. "But this isn't a reward. It's a gift." But gifts involve reciprocation. What could I possibly give you in return? "Just accept this gift. That is gift enough to me at this time. Let me love you." Father, you are so good. You give good gifts to your children. You speak tenderly to us and pull us in close. Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will receive your gift. Help me to really understand the extent of your love and what that means for my life. Would this realization make a difference in how I approach life. You are good. And your love endures forever. Amen.