(Excerpt from my book, When Father is a Bad Word)

The story is told about Frank Szymanski, a center for the Notre Dame football team, who in the 1940s was called as a witness in a civil suit in South Bend. “Are you on the Notre Dame football team this year?” the judge asked.

Szymanski replied, “Yes, your Honor.”

The judge asked, “What position?”

“Center, your honor,” came the response.

“How good a center?” asked the judge.

Szymanski squirmed in his seat, then said firmly, “I am the best center Notre Dame ever had.”

Coach Frank Leahy, who was in courtroom, was surprised by the answer of the usually modest, unassuming Szymanski. When the proceedings were over, the coach took Szymanski aside and asked why he made such a statement.

Szymanski blushed and said, “I hated to do it, Coach, but, after all, I was under oath.”

As children adopted by the Heavenly Father, we must be unabashedly confident in knowing who we are.

In His love letter to the world God brags about us. He calls us beloved. Says we’re His lambs. He makes it clear that He delights in being our Daddy; that He treasures spending time with us. He invites us to share with Him our dreams and desires, our problems and pain. He cares so much about us that He offers us love without condition and grace without exception. The Creator of the Universe is pleased to call you and me His own. 

That is the truth and nothing but the truth. How would our lives be different if we walked boldly in that truth? 

I was cradling my beautiful new grandson soon after his arrival. As I held him close and looked at that sweet face I was overflowing with love for him; a love so deep that I realized that there was nothing I wouldn't do for him.

What exactly did he do to earn such love? Absolutely nothing. At that point in his young life, pretty much all he could do was eat, sleep, and poop. But I don't love him because of anything he does. I love him because of who he is. He's my grandson. 

In that tender moment I came to understand that my Heavenly Father loves me much the same way. He doesn't love me because of the things I do. He loves me because of who I am. I'm His child. Made in His image. Bought with a very high price.

Our Heavenly Father loves His kids without condition and without exception. He doesn't withhold His love until we've proven ourselves lovable. He loves us even when we smell and fuss and need to be changed. He overflows with love for us. He loves us so much that there is nothing He wouldn't do for us.

When I need to be reassured, when I need to feel secure, when I need to be reminded that I have value and am deeply loved, I know what I have to do. I must place myself in my Father's arms. ​