Not everyone speaks truth to or about us.
I had listened to some horrible things thrown at me. Words I knew were not true slung so hatefully at me stung when they hit. They didn’t stick long, as if only the glue of truth could stay on me, and for that, I am grateful. But the bruises they caused are still tender at times.
But I decided to make the reminder of truth more tangible and lasting. The day I took off my wedding band, my daily Bible reading had me in a favorite section. Romans 9-11 became near to me during my first visit to Israel. Now my hand and heart felt so empty, yet I read, “I will call Not My People, My People, and she who is Unloved, Beloved” (Romans 9:25).
I know the context of the promise is far beyond me, yet I knew that God was reassuring me of the truth of my identity and worth. No matter how twisted and cold someone’s love had become for me, God calls me his beloved. And since God is love (1 John 4:8), his love trumps anyone else’s. His being and presence is love itself. Only he is pure love. Only his expression of love is full and right and lasting.
And his reminder and words of truth are etched on my skin and heart as a lasting reminder or who I am and, most importantly, who he is.