I am also a spoiled brat! I knew that God loved me. After all, He already accomplished the greatest demonstration of love by sending down His Son to die on the cross for my sins. There is no greater love than if a man would lay down his life for a friend, is there? And God did just that! He sacrificed His life just so that I could be with Him. What more did I want?
But I wanted more! I wanted solid proof! Very clear, LOUD evidence! Pretty demanding, aren't I?
But there is truth in God's promises. In Jeremiah 29:13, He says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." And in Isaiah 45:19, He says, "I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain.' I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right." Truly, the Lord desires for us to know Him! He promises that if we would just seek Him out with all our hearts, we are guaranteed success: we will find Him!
And so, I got my proof. :) A couple of days later, I was reading the Bible, and God told me in black and white as CLEAR as day that He loved me. Wanna see? It's in Isaiah 43:4, "Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you..." Did you catch that? Precious, honored and loved by the Creator of heaven and earth!! Amazing! Further, God really spoke to me and assured me through chapters 41, 43, 54 and 55 of Isaiah.
But He didn't stop there! I was sharing these great events with my friend Pam. At one point, I was reading this verse in Isaiah 41 where I felt like God was speaking directly to me where He says, "Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you..." I was emphasizing the "worm" part because I thought it funny that God would call me a worm. Pam interjected and said, "Yeah, aren't you the lil' ladybug?" (She was referring to my affinity toward ladybugs.)
So I continued thinking about that question on the drive to campus. I was thinking, "Hrmm...am I your lil' ladybug, Lord?" At that moment, I had stopped at a stoplight and when I looked up after having that thought, I saw a little ladybug land on my windshield. Seriously, honestly! That ladybug landed on my nonmoving car right on my windshield right after I asked that question!!
I stared at it aghast and in disbelief for the whole time the light was red. And when the light turned green, the ladybug flitted off, and I turned the corner. So what was God trying to tell me? Obviously, Pam later said, God was telling me I was His little ladybug. So I tried to think of why I liked ladybugs so much. I realized there really wasn't a reason. I take great delight in them though they are tiny and cute and even though they seemingly should be overlooked. I just take great delight in them because they are His creation. They are there. And it was like God - in the most meaningful way possible - was telling me, "Mary Ann, I take great delight in you because you are you, my special creation." And that was that. He settled it for me. I really am precious and honored in His sight!
That is why I am His Lil' Ladybug. :)
As a final note, I want to tell you that you TOO are precious and honored in His sight. The Scriptures aren't there just for me or that "other" person. It is written for you too. He writes it to you. All the precious promises and words of love and affection are written to you. You've just gotta read it and claim it! God loves you very much, and if you don't believe it, just ask Him. Ask Him and seek Him just as I did. I guarantee you will find Him.
Here's a verse that describes it well from Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
Don't ever forget that!
His child,
Mary Ann