by: Anneleen Vorster

Let me introduce myself

I do not have the most important job and when I walk into the bank I may not cause my bank manager to have the widest of smiles,

I may not be able to explain my point of view in the most eloquent manner;

But I am my God’s Beloved.

I may not be the most attractive person in the eyes of others.

I may not have a voice that will cause birds to break into a spontaneous song of joy.

I do not play the guitar, the piano or even the fiddle.

But I am my God’s Beloved.

I may not be the smartest kid on the block or have the best academic qualifications.

I do not have the fastest car and I still refuse to change a flat tyre or check the oil myself.

But I am my God’s Beloved.

I only have normal kids and I still get upset with them at times.

Just like me, they still seem to make mistakes. Sometimes I make bad mistakes.

But I am my God’s Beloved.

I have to admit that I still transgress the speed limit when in a hurry and last Wednesday I ran a stop sign when no other cars were near.

I still have to choose not to get mad in rush hour traffic or when a car cuts in front of me.

I hate it when others go slow when I want to go fast.

I abhor waiting in line for anything accept my rugby tickets.

But I am my God’s Beloved.

I have to admit that I do not read my Bible every day and in a 24-hour day I spent to little time with God.

Sometimes I even do not want to pray.

But I am my God’s Beloved.

I still catch myself that I worry and make back-up plans for when God’s arms will not reach far enough to catch me-even though God promised never to fail those who trust in Him.

But I am my God’s Beloved.

I still let it slide when someone take the Lord’s name in vain in a conversation.

I still forward a joke faster than a request for prayer.

I still walk past when a drunk lies in the street or give the least amount of money when approached by a beggar.

But I am my God’s Beloved.

I drive past the hitch hikers from the community that I live in

When a colleague came to collect for another’s funeral cost, I chose to spend my money elsewhere

I participated in a conversation where we discussed a colleagues shortcomings and how frustrating this is.

But I am my God’s Beloved.

I still only warmly greet those that greet me

I most often only pray for my own needs and those of friends and family

I sometimes shift blame.

But I am my God’s Beloved.

I think I am right all the time and when I listen to you it is with the view of how to best convince you about my point of view

I am more tolerant of my own mistakes than to those of others.

I think you should do more to make this world a better place.

But I am my God’s Beloved.

I am not worthy

But,

It is my name that is written in the palms of His crucified hands

It is my life that was exchanged for His

It is my being that causes Him to smile

It is to me that He promised a life of prosperity and a cup that runneth over

It is to me that He promised that He will never leave or stop loving me.

It is to me that He offers protection.

I cannot disappoint or fail Him.

When He thinks of me it is not only with thoughts of love or even a sigh; it is with great joy.

He could choose anyone, could be anywhere, could do anything

He chose me.

I am not known by my surname, my address, my job, my bankbalance or my friends

You cannot know who I am by looking at the colour of my skin, my gender or the country of my origin

Not by merit, but because of who He is.

He is the Love in my BeLoved