PARENTING & FAMILY
How can I nurture my child's self-worth?

(Psalm 139)
Create a sense of God-worth.
Kids somehow get the impression that God is concerned only about doing right and wrong. They think, Sure, God loves me, but it's a lot easier for him to love me if I behave.

True security comes from knowing God loves us no matter what. That's evidenced by the fact that God stays with us all the time (139:7-12). We can never get away from him—and when we understand what God is really like, we wouldn't want to. Our God created us to be with him and to be protected by him. He never stays at a distance.

Another reason God loves us is that he created us (139:13-17). The things other kids make fun of (thin hair or big feet) are things God thought were a good idea. If God thinks our physical appearance is good, who should criticize?

The truth is, God can't take his eyes off us! He has kept a record of what we do as if it were a huge baby book (139:16) written in advance. Our God is fascinated with us and delights in us. Not only does this make us feel better about ourselves, but it pulls us toward a fascination with God. (See also 1 Samuel 17:24-54; Luke 15:11-32; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15.)

Words to remember:
You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me.—Psalm 139

Psalm 139
The LORD Is Always Near
139 You have looked deep into my heart, LORD, and you know all about me.
²You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts.

³You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.
⁴Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say.
⁵and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.
⁶I can't understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.

⁷Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight?
⁸If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there.

⁹Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean.
¹⁰Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me.
¹¹Or suppose I said, "I'll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over."
¹²But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you.

¹³You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body,
¹⁴and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.

¹⁵Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below,
¹⁶but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.

¹⁷Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.
¹⁸I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.

¹⁹How I wish that you would kill all cruel and heartless people and protect me from them!
²⁰They are always rebelling and speaking evil of you.
²¹You know I hate anyone who hates you, LORD, and refuses to obey.
²²They are my enemies too, and I truly hate them.

²³Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking.
²⁴Don't let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way that time has proven true.

These excerpts are from The Bible for Today's Christian Woman. This Bible is no longer in print. But new this month is the Woman's Life Bible, which includes the same great features for today's busy woman. Click here to purchase the Woman's Life Bible.

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc. All rights reserved. Excerpted from The Bible for Today's Christian Woman, CEV, pages 686-687. Used by permission. For reprint information call 630-260-6200.