by Denise Miller Holmes

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  –Rom 8:38-39

When you are going through a time of rejection, abandonment, or isolation, it is hard to feel loved. Yet, God says He loves us no matter what.

Several years ago, I was in such a circumstance—where I’d experienced profound rejection and felt terribly unloved. In fact, I had experienced several occurrences of rejection and I felt alone and worthless.

But God found me.

My husband and I went to breakfast on a Sunday morning, and when we left, I stood in the parking lot and waited for hubby to go find the car and bring it back.

While I stood and waited, I must have looked rather pitiful. My head was down, my shoulders were hunched, and I felt like I could barely breathe.

A woman of about fifty years of age approached me, and I heard her speak softly, “Can I pray for you?”

I answered, “Yes,” and felt her arms hug me. She prayed for me to feel loved and accepted, and for God to bless me. I thanked her and felt a rush of love surround, then fill me.

I got into the car when Mark drove up and said, “Wow. That lady prayed for me. I’d forgotten what it feels to be accepted and loved.” I started crying.

I’ll never forget that day. No matter how far away you feel from God’s love, He is always near. He will remind you in some small ways that he cares—no matter what people are telling you through their words and actions.

Embrace this. Believe this. You are never far from the love of God.

Dear Jesus. I ask that you help me to feel your love. I feel alone and unlovable sometimes, yet I know you love me. Help me feel it. Reach into my heart and cause me to sense your amazing, loving Presence. Amen