Do You Know You Are Really Loved By God?

I (probably like many of you) have often sung the children's song, "Jesus loves me this I know...." The other day I was singing it to my little grandson before his nap. But as I was singing it to him, the words hit me in a fresh way - Do I really know and live like I am loved by Jesus? Do I allow that truth to sink into my deepest thoughts?

Not long ago my son-in-law had to go away on an overnight trip. The next morning - when he was not there for breakfast - my sweet 5-year-old grand daughter was distressed to the point of tears. She loves eating breakfast with her daddy each morning - and in her mind it's supposed to be that way every day. His absence at the kitchen table prompted her to write him a note. It was a very tender note expressing her love for her dad. There was one sentence she wrote, however, that especially caught my attention, "And I know you love me, too."

Wow, I believe that sentence is powerful. Here's a little girl that truly knows her father loves her! I wonder what great impact that knowledge of being loved by her dad will have on her now and in the future? I wonder if she will feel like a woman of worth as she matures? Will her dad's secure love have a bearing on how she feels loved by God? I believe so.

Take a moment, if you will, and say to the Lord, "Father, I know you love me." Those may be hard words for some to say, but it's true - the Father loves you and He wants you to know it and believe it. "What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it - we're called children of God! That's who we really are" 1 John 3:1 (The Message).

"And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is" Ephesians 3:18 NLT.

"Jesus loves me this I know."

Positive, Powerful Words

Maryann Bird, from her book, The Whisper Test, shares the following story:

"I grew up knowing I was different. I hated it. I was born with a cleft palate and when I started school, my classmates made it clear to me how I looked to others. A little girl, with a misshapen lip, a crooked nose, lopsided teeth, and garbled speech. When schoolmates asked, 'What happened to your lip?' I'd tell them I'd fallen and cut it on a piece of glass. Somehow it seemed more acceptable to have suffered an accident rather than to have been born different. I was convinced that no one else other than my family could love me.

There was, however a teacher in the second grade we all adored. Mrs. Leonard, by name. She was short, round, happy. A sparkling lady. Annually, we had a hearing test. Mrs. Leonard gave it to everyone in the class. And finally it was my turn. I knew from past years as we stood against the door and covered one ear, the teacher, sitting at her desk, would whisper something and we would have to say back what we heard her say. 'The sky is blue.' Or 'Do you have new shoes?' I waited for her words - the words that God must have put in her mouth - the seven words that changed my life. Mrs. Leonard whispered, 'I wish you were my little girl.'"

What an incredible "shame lifter" Mrs. Leonard was for a little girl. Only seven words were spoken, but they changed her student's life. I wonder what words I could share today that would bring hope to those around me? 'Heavenly Father, help me to see those who need whispers of your love.' Oh, by the way, I believe the Lord Jesus continually whispers to a lost and hurting world, 'I wish you were mine.'

Words of Shame

It's been months since I last posted, but now things are settling down with the release of Shame Lifter (only more radio interview to go) and I thought I'd get caught up on this blog.

Shame. It's such an interesting emotion. It caught me by surprise a couple weeks ago.

I had to go to a medical lab for a routine test. And like most medical offices, there is a sign that reads, "Please register with the receptionist." I stood by the counter and waited for the receptionist to finish whatever she was doing. Without greeting or even glancing up at me she asked, "Name?" I told her. Again, without looking at me she said, "Insurance card." I handed her my card and was amazed how she could, without looking, take it right out of my hand while she looked at her paperwork.

She continued with her work, swearing quietly to herself while I stood there. Finally, she said, "Go take a seat." As I turned and started for a nearby chair in the lobby, she yelled out, "Where are you going? What do you think I just asked you to do?" Now, for the first time she was looking at me and demanding an answer. At first I couldn't believe she was talking to me, but her eyes (and all the other eyes in the lobby) were now staring at me and wondering what I was going to say. I swallowed and said, "You told me to go sit down." Her eyes glowered at me. "Not in the lobby!" She pointed to another chair and commanded, " I want you to sit right over here!" She began mumbling to herself as I sank into the "right" chair. I could feel all those eyes looking at the back of my head. Gratefully, my name was soon called by a nurse and I was freed from my chair.

After the appointment, I had to once again file past the receptionist's desk. Not knowing how I would be received and if I should sit in a certain chair I asked, "Is there anything else you need from me?" "No, I'm done with you!" No "good-bye" no smile, no nothing.

It really was a little thing - but do you know what I felt like for a couple of minutes as that receptionist dialogued with me? I felt like a bad little kid who hadn't followed directions. (But only for a couple of minutes! :) I quickly realized that I didn't have anything to be ashamed of. She was the one out of bounds.

But I do wonder...what was going on in her life? Was she having a most dreadful day in the office? How could I have encouraged her?

Our words - they have such power - both with what we say and how we say it. Truly words have the power of life or death. Today I have a choice, I can either be a shame giver or a shame lifter.

A review from Five Minutes for Books

"A lot of self-help books focus on a variety of individuals and their personal struggles. Not so with Shame Lifter. Author Marilyn Hontz uses her own life experiences to show how she was once a shame receiver who finally realized that she needed some help with shame lifting.

To be perfectly honest, I didn't think I needed to read this book. I just wanted to. I am, generally speaking, a very confident person. I typically have enough self-esteem to go around and share with, oh, say, about half a dozen other women. I don't generally think ill of myself. However, I did find an area where I generally talk down to myself when I was reading this book. I wasn't really surprised about the area of degradation but I was surprised to find that I really DID need this book. Furthermore, I'd go so far as to say that just about every woman does."

Read more here.

Christian Ladies Connect Review

"Moms and dads everywhere: kudos to you. My hats are off to hard-working moms and dads all over the world, who sacrifice time, money, and energy, while giving the best of their love to a new breed that will one day rise up and be our future hope.

Though taxing at times, parenthood is one of the most satisfying jobs life could offer– or…um…at least that’s what I’ve heard from older moms and dads whose children are grown and are now raising kids of their own! Personally, I’m still in the very early stages of motherhood- parenting a voracious toddler and homeschooling a knowledge-thirsty 6 1/2 year old (yes, that’s six and one half, as she so adamantly reminds me). And, yes, I do find those moments of satisfaction and joy. Especially when they’re asleep!"

Read the rest here.

Interview on "The Query Queen"

Click here to read one of Marilyn's recent interviews posted on "Ask Wendy--the Query Queen."

Excerpt from Cindy's Stamping and Reviews

Are you a Shame Giver, Shame Receiver, or a Shame Lifter? Author Marilyn Hontz, in this book clearly explains what each of these are, and how to recognize signs in our lives (there is even check lists at the back of the book) She wonderfully presents a interesting book about how we recognize and deal with each of these, in our lives.
Hurting people hurt people. The sooner we recognize this fact in the people we deal with daily and the people who we interact with in our lives. When we become aware of this it will help us to deal with those people who seem set on hurting us. It will also help us to understand our own hurts in our lives.

See the rest of this review here.