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You are beloved.

Do you know that?

Truly know it, deep down in the core of you?

Before you were born,

before your parents were born,

before any of your ancestors were born,

before the creation of the world,

you were beloved.

Before you were loved by your parents,

before any of your achievements were praised by teachers,

bosses,

family,

before your friends knew you and loved you,

you were beloved.

You were carefully crafted.

Your physical body,

your personality,

your talents and passions,

all were formed with the greatest and tenderest of care.

The world will try to tell you otherwise.

The world will lie and manipulate you, trying to make you believe that you are

how you look,

what you do,

the way you behave.

Don’t believe it.

You are beloved.

Before you did or were or acted,

you were beloved.

Find and remain with those who tell you the truth.

Hold on to those who remind you that

you are beloved.

And be grateful.

Thank God for choosing you.

Thank God for loving you.

Thank Him by believing that,

by trusting that,

by holding tightly with white knuckles to the idea that

you are beloved.

Art credit: Fairy Tales by Jessie Willcox Smith