dreaming ~

Yesterday, I took the day off to spend time with my nieces and sister-in-law who were in town to honor my mom. (Grandparents Day at Orangewood Christian School and my mom got to show off her grandkids!) They must have been on my mind as I lay my head down on the pillow last night....

I dreamt that I was having a heart-to-heart talk with four-year-old Ella; a lesson about the faith of a child.
___

"Do you know how much I love you, Ella? It's Valentines Day and we're celebrating love. I love you very, very much. But you know, there's someone who loves you more than me, more than mommy and daddy, more than grandma and grandpa and nana and gramps. Do you know who that is?"

Her eyes were fixed on me.

"God loves you, Ella! It makes him happy when you're sweet to everybody, when you obey mommy and daddy, when you play nicely with Emily and you're a good big sister to her. But even when you're not good, God loves you just because.

"Mommy likes when you obey, but even when you don't, she still loves you. Why? Because you belong to her! You're her daughter! Right? But Ella, God loves you even more. He loves you when you're happy. He loves you when you're sad. He loves you when you're laughing. He loves you when you're scared. He loves you when you're sleeping. He loves you when you're playing. He loves you when you're good. He loves you when you're bad. God loves Ella."

Then I pulled her close and looked her straight in the eye and said - "Promise me you'll never forget that, Ella. Promise me you'll never forget how much God loves you, as long as you live. He loves more than you can dream. Do you promise?"

She nodded. Then she leaned into me, I wrapped my arms around her, and after a moment of silence, I heard her say quietly..."I'm so glad. I'm so glad He loves me."
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I awoke with tears overflowing from my eyes. "O God- I'm so glad you love me."