This is my kid in whom I am so pleased.

“I know you are busy but don’t forget to declare out loud to your child:

This is my kid, in whom I am so pleased. God said this to Their Son before he had done a darn thing to earn affection.”

Mary Van Geffen posted this (and a bit more) to her social media on Sunday, taking what she heard from Brenna and personalizing it as a parent.

I didn’t get those messages growing up. My husband didn’t either.

A friend recently recounted a memory to me. Many decades ago, his Mom was showing his spouse some of the art he made in high school and said how proud she was of him. The spouse responded, “You should tell him”. The Mother-in-law’s answer was “Oh, he already knows.”

My friend said her husband did not know. He did not hear those messages because his Mom left them unspoken. My friend was very aware how the lack of joyful affirmation affected her spouse.

As parents, my husband and I tried often to say “Good Job” or “So Proud of You” and to make sure our boys always knew how we felt. Silent affirmation was not an option for us as parents.

If you have had the same lack of affirmation, I hope you will hear God’s words being directed straight at YOU. May your family and friends reflect this back to you. And may you reflect it your family and friends.

And if there is no one in your life giving you this message, tell one of us at City Church when you are there. Don’t be shy. We will be happy to say those words you so richly deserve to hear. And probably a big, long hug. BECAUSE….

You are my much-loved ‘child’ who makes my heart glad.

Luke 3:23 – First Nations Version with ‘child’ subbed in for ‘son’