Faithful Love

I recently read the story of author Mary Ann Bird. In the article, she shared this very personal story in The Whisper Test. She wrote, “I grew up knowing I was different, and 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, crooked nose, lopsided teeth, and garbled speech.”

“When classmates 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 than to have been born different. I was convinced that no one outside my family could love me.”



“There was, however, a teacher in the second grade that we all adored—Mrs. Leonard [was her] name. She was short, round, happy—a sparkling lady.”

Annually we had a hearing test . . .

Mrs. Leonard gave the test to everyone in the class, and finally it was my turn. I knew from past years that as we stood against the door and covered one ear, the teacher sitting at her desk would whisper something, and we would have to repeat it back—things like “The sky is blue” or “Do you have new shoes?” I waited there for those words that God must have put into her mouth. [They were] seven words that changed my life. Mrs. Leonard said in her whisper, “I wish you were my little girl”

Ever feel alone? Left out? Different? Rejected? Less valuable than others?

Ever wonder if God REALLY wants you in His family? After all... you did or said what you did or said. Can’t take it back and can’t change the past.

Worry no more.

God wants you.

God won’t reject you.

God won’t send you away because you’re different.

God loves different. God CREATED different.

It doesn’t matter how you think you look today. Or how badly they made fun of you. Who you are in Christ is defined by the One who knit you together not by the ones trying to pick you apart.

You could have broken dreams, a broken heart, or be broken in spirit... imperfect or all-together wrecked.

God wants you to know something today.

You are not an accident.

You are not less valuable than anyone else.

You are loved.

"Give thanks to the God of heaven.

His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 136:26

Let that sink in a second... the one Who started your heart beating is in love with it. He declares His devotion to you over and over in scripture. He doesn’t have you confused with your overachieving brother... or the rich lady down the street... or the perfect parent at the pediatrician’s office.

He is talking about you.

He wants you to know that your past doesn’t define you and your future has yet to be written.

You are loved.