“Because you are precious to Me and because I love you and give you honor.
Do not be afraid—I am with you!”
(Isaiah 43:4, 5, GNT).
I am an adult son, and by the time this book is published I will also be the father of a daughter over the age of eighteen, whom I must consider an adult. I read an article by Dr. Michelle Maidenberg about the relationship between adult children and their parents. It is based on research conducted on fifty adults who were asked,
“Tell me something you consider your parents should know?
Dr. Maidenberg shared the answers in an article written in the form of a letter published in Psychology Today magazine. These were some of the things adults wanted their parents to know: “I need your acceptance and approval.” °Your criticism makes me feel insecure.” «It is disappointing when you compare me with other people.» “Respect my individuality and independence and enable me to find my own way.» “I need to hear you express how much you love me; assuming I know it isn’t enough.” And here is one more: “I want to feel like I am a major priority in your life . . . that your love for me is unconditional and enduring.
In regard to the last point, our heavenly Father declared this in a beautiful poem: “Because you are precious to Me and because I love you and give you honor. Do not be afraid—I am with you!” (Isaiah 43:4, 5, GNT). We are a priority to our heavenly Father, hence we are “precious.” The Hebrew word yakar, translated as “precious» in Isaiah 43:4, refers to something valuable, respected, that has been bought at a high price. In 1 Samuel 18:30, the word means «famous.” We might think, «Nobody knows us; what fame are you talking about*» We are famous in the kingdom of heaven, because in every corner of the universe God proclaims we are His children and we are precious!
If we want a father who lets us know we are a priority for Him, let’s turn to our heavenly Father. And we know we are His priority because His love for us is unconditional and everlasting: “But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him. His salvation extends to the children’s children” (Psalm 103:17, NLT). No matter how young or old we are, God affirms we are honored, loved, and precious, and He wants us to know it.
*Michelle P. Maidenberg, “What Adult Children Need Their Parents to Understand,” Psychology
Today (September—October 2021), pp. 52, 53.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2023
“I AM WITH YOU”
From: J. VLADIMIR POLANCO
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Avineyda Hernandez
