Not an Orphan by Mandy Baker Johnson

I love watching gymnastics. Last weekend were the finals of the world gymnastics championships in Glasgow. Danell Leyva, representing the USA, stepped up to the high bar. His coach who is also his dad lifted him up and made sure he was secure before retreating a little way to watch the routine.

The dad's eyes never left his son for a second. He lived every handstand, every catch and release, every single movement with his son. And when Danell finished the routine, the cameras panned to his dad and coach racing up and down, jumping and punching the air in sheer exuberant pride in his son.

Immediately the Father whispered to me: 'That's how I feel about you.'

We can sometimes feel like orphans, thinking we have to solve problems alone, wondering if anyone cares. But we aren't orphans. Jesus' Dad has adopted us - and He is as besotted with us as He is over Jesus. And He is proud of us, proud and delighted to call us His children. We don't have to worry about doing anything special to earn His favour; we couldn't if we tried.

If no one has ever told you they are proud of you, God does. He loves you. And He's crazy about you. He shouts with sheer joy that you are part of His family.

It's hard to take in, I know. I frequently have to remind myself: 'I'm not an orphan, I'm loved by my Daddy.'

When I remember - and choose to believe - that I am God's child, I am confident of someone to whom I can take my hurts and problems as well as my joys.

Be encouraged today. You are not an orphan.


Mandy Baker Johnson is a self-employed medical secretary who enjoys blogging and is working on an autobiographical book about deliverance from darkness and being healed from cerebellar ataxia and ME/chronic fatigue. She enjoys volunteering with a Christian charity working with women in the sex industry.