from our weekly emails to youth, parents and those who have a heart for youth ministry at Valencia UMC. If you want to receive these weekly updates, please email me at jyoo@umcv.org.

A couple of youth on facebook joined a fan page called “you are loved.” And the truth is, you are loved. Whether you feel like it or not; whether you feel you deserve it or not… you are loved!

Through my struggles and pain, I’ve been sort of coming to an understanding of how much God may actually love me.
Here’s the thing. Since I was in high school, for reasons unbeknownst to myself, I wanted to have kids. I knew that I wanted to be a dad with a litter of kids running around. I was weird and different like that.

So when we got married and moved to Hawaii, I  wanted to plan for a family right away. But with the wife having to go back to Washington, DC to finish her last semester of seminary, she wisely told me that we should wait for just a little bit.

Now it’s been about two or so years since we’ve been trying for a mini-me. And nothing.I’ve been frustrated with God on wondering why this isn’t happening for us. I find myself thinking like Hannah (1 Samuel chapter 1) and Rachel (Genesis 30:1). What’s worse is that everyone around us seems to be getting pregnant. Some weren’t even trying to get pregnant. So they call or email, and for a little while, my happiness for them is fake. Eventually, I do get really excited for my friends’ new chapter in their lives and look forward to meeting their ugly little kids. I’m kidding. About the ugly baby part.

But in this pain and frustration, I begin to sort of see a glimpse of God’s love for me.

This kid that I want, it’s not even born yet. At this point, I don’t know if the kid will ever be born. But I love it (him or her). I already do. I can’t explain it to you, but before the child is even in its existence, I love him or her. I know that s/he’s going to be born to a father and mother who will love him/her deeply and as best as we can.

Whether the kid will like it or not, s/he’ll be loved. She has no choice but to be loved by us. And there’s not a single thing that she can do about it.

I think that’s just a small glimpse of God’s love for me and you.
Before we were born, God knew us and loved us deeply.
We were born into the grace and love of God.
Whether we like it or not, God loves us.
Whether we feel we deserve it or not, God loves us.
And there’s nothing that can separate us from God. Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor heights, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

So as you go about today and this week, just reflect on God’s love in your life. Take time to bask in God’s presence, love and grace. Reflect, also, on how God’s love is being displayed through you and your life/actions.

And always remember: you are loved. And there’s nothing you can do about it.