This year, I have experienced God’s transforming love in a deeply personal way—by intentionally seeking His voice and learning to rely on Him more fully. Throughout this year’s sermon series, God stirred something within me, gently and consistently reminding me of His love and presence. One of my resolutions for 2025 was to grow closer to Him, and in answering that prayer, God lovingly reshaped the way I see myself.
For much of my life, I believed I needed to be “perfect” in order to be worthy of God’s love. I brought Him the big problems but tried to manage the smaller ones on my own, convinced I should be able to handle them. But I’ve come to realize that I don’t have the capacity to carry even the small things without Him—and that He wants all of my heart, not just the parts I imagine are acceptable.
“I realized I don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of His love.”
The pinnacle of this journey came during our spiritual retreat this fall. In that quiet, sacred space, God reminded me that I am His child—fully known, fully loved, and embraced as I am. My imperfections are not obstacles; they are invitations. I am imperfect by design so that only through His love can I be made whole.
I now see that I had been over-complicating my relationship with God, striving and performing, while He simply waited—right beside me, arms open wide.
