Validation

A few weeks ago, I was writing in my journal, and the prompt for the day was:

"Introduce yourself to God and tell Him a little about yourself."

At first, I thought, This is a little silly. God already knows everything about me.

But I answered the prompt anyway.

When I finished journaling, I wrote one final question:

"God, how do You see me?"

Then I added, I look forward to You answering.

I closed my journal, got ready for the day, and headed to the grocery store. My husband, Aaron, had asked me to pick up a watermelon.

Now, here's the funny part! I have absolutely no idea how to pick a good watermelon!

As I walked over to the watermelon display, I noticed a woman with the most beautiful blue eyes tapping and knocking on the watermelons. I started laughing, and she laughed too. We struck up a conversation about the mysterious art of choosing the perfect watermelon.

It was one of those scorching hot Michigan days, and honestly, all I wanted to do was grab a watermelon, pay for it, and get back to my air conditioning.

But God had other plans.

Before we finished talking, the woman asked me, "May I pray for you?"

Without hesitation, I said, "Of course."

As she prayed, I felt an incredible peace. When she finished, she looked at me and said something I'll never forget.

She said, "I see God in you. He wants you to know that you are His daughter. You are called. You are chosen. But you're living below your inheritance. His inheritance belongs to you. You don't need validation from anyone else, only from Him."

I was stunned.

What she didn't know was that I had been carrying the weight of a difficult week. I had recently been a part of a conversation where I felt my ability to respect and honor leadership was questioned. Anyone that knows me knows that love, respect and honor are values I strive to live daily. Yet after that meeting, I went home feeling discouraged.

So I talked to God about it.

In His kindness, He gave me clarity about my role, my heart, and where my identity truly comes from.

Then, only a short time later, He answered the question I had written in my journal.

"God, how do You see me?"

He answered through a complete stranger in the produce aisle.

She didn't know my prayer.
She didn't know my week.
She didn't know my struggle.

But God did.

Her words weren't just encouraging, they were confirmation.

They were God's loving reminder that I am His daughter. That I am called. That I am chosen. That my worth is not determined by people's opinions, recognition, or approval.

My validation comes from Him.

Sometimes we spend so much energy searching for affirmation from people that we forget we've already been fully accepted by the One who created us.

When God speaks over your life, His voice settles what everyone else's opinions cannot.

That day, I didn't just leave the grocery store with a watermelon.

I left with something far more valuable.

I left knowing that God sees me.

And that's the only validation I'll ever need.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" — 1 John 3:1

Reflection:
Whose approval have you been chasing? Maybe today is the day to ask God the same question I asked in my journal:

"Father, how do You see me?"

Don't be surprised if He answers in the most unexpected way.