Alicia: Beloved Child of God

I want to thank Shelton D. for inspiring me, several months ago, to write the text below by asking me:

What does it mean to be the beloved child of God?

-- Being the beloved child of God means that I go to God for advice and counsel (prayer, the Bible, pastoral counseling, etc.)

-- It means that I know and listen to what God thinks about me and I focus on how God sees me as opposed to how others see me (especially people who have misused me and been abusive).

-- It means that I don't have to be anxious or depressed.

-- It means that I respect my body and my spirit and not allow unclean things into my body or soul. It means that I'll take good care of myself.

-- It means that I respect other people and treat them with compassion and kindness as long as they mean me no harm. It means I have the right to defend and protect myself from harm.

-- Being the beloved child of God means that I deserve to be loved, nurtured, cherished, and adored like God wants me to be. God wants the best for me.