you are extra special

You are Extra Special

“You are special to Me and I love you...” Isaiah 43:4

Each year on Valentine’s Day, my husband Pat shares a special tradition with our daughter,

Christal. It started out when she was just two years’ old. He purchases the cutest stuff animal

and selects the most adorable daughter Valentine’s card. Some years, instead of a stuff animal,

he might change things up and take her to the movies or go shopping at the mall.

One tradition though has remained the same, even 32 years later, even now that she is married

and has children of her own. It is the tradition of giving her a special daughter Valentine’s Card.

He has a knack for finding just the right card. This bond between a father and daughter is

something very special.

This year is no different. He picked out the cutest Valentine’s Card for Christal. That bond is

amazing to watch. When those two get together it is like she is a little toddler all over again

tugging at his heartstrings and she knows it, too! He calls her by her nickname that only he uses

and she allows, and only indoors. He says her favorite “Three Little Words” (TLW) that only she

knows. It is all about her and she loves it.

He has also gained the trust to treat his daughter-in-law in a similar manner. He asked her a few

years ago, if he could call her daughter, and she beamed with heart felt joy, knowing she was

fully loved and accepted into our family.

Our Heavenly Father desires to share a special bond with each one of us (see Isaiah 43:4). He

wants to remind us that we are a unique creation and He made each one of us special (see

Psalm 139:14). His love for us is not based upon our performance (1 John 4:9-10). He loves us

because He loves us. He loves us even more than we love ourselves. He knows each of our

names (see Isaiah 41:1) and has chosen us (see 1 Peter 2:9). He is with us always (see

Hebrews 13:5) and is there in our troubles and our happiness.

As a good Father, He wants to give us good gifts (see Matthew 7:11). He wants us to accept His

free gift of salvation and open our heart to Jesus Christ so we can experience total love,

freedom and acceptance.

Like any daddy, He has a unique kind of love for each of us. A love that is unconditional and

unfailing (see Jeremiah 31:3), and it is not based upon meeting certain conditions. He desires to

lavish each of us with His great love (see 1 John 3:1) and nothing is able to separate us from

this love (Romans 8:38-39).

There are at least two reasons why God loves you so much: First, it is His nature to love. The

Bible says that God is love; Second, you are His creation. God loves you just as good earthly

parents love their children.

God have given you special abilities and a unique purpose. He desires you to see that potential

and wants you to discover who you can become. He has faith in you and He has plans to give

you a hope and a future (see Jeremiah 29:11). Most of us spend our entire lives trying to earn

acceptance. May this Valentine’s Day help you remember that you are accepted by God. He

has chosen you and lavishes you with His love.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Cindy Dennis and the CDM Leadership Team

“The blessing of the Lord be upon you.”  Psalm 129:8 KJV