Recently at Kids’ Connection, we learned about how we are made in the image of God, how we can see God in others, and how we all belong to God’s family. One of the kids stopped me and asked, “Where do we see God?” As adults, we often forget that the abstract language we use doesn’t always translate well for young children who are still concrete thinkers. I explained to the group that grownups forget their words can be confusing, and when we talk about seeing God, we really mean feeling God. So how do we see or feel God in ourselves and in others? And how do we remind ourselves that through God’s love, we all have a place we belong in God’s family.

We start by knowing that we are first and foremost loved by God. In God’s perfect love, our perceived flaws and failures don’t prevent us from belonging to or being loved by our Creator. And we commit to doing our best to share God’s love with those around us. Ephesians 4 gives instructions for unity in Christian life together, ending with “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (vs. 32). As we live in God’s love and share kindness with others, we should embrace our true selves, living freely as God created us.

But still, how do we see or feel God? When we live in love, sharing kindness, and embracing our true selves, how does it feel? Does it feel free? Or safe? Warm? Comfortable? Joyful? It feels like belonging to God.

Be loved. Be kind. Be you. Be God’s beloved child.