Wherever You Are Today, Know That You Are Loved

I wish I could say that this world is perfect. I wish I could promise that people are inherently good, and that we’ll always stand up for one another, rather than against. I wish I could say that we always make the right decisions, speak loving words, smile instead of frown. But we don’t, and we won’t.

We’re not wired for flawlessness; we’re laden with imperfection.

And though that sounds so dismal and gray, I want you to hear this: Even in our sinfulness, we are still wonderful creatures. Even with all the bad, this world is still so so good.

I want you to know something today—that wherever you’re living and breathing and resting your head—you are loved.

You are loved by strangers. You are loved by friends. You are loved by family, and in the absence of family, you are loved by those you’ve claimed as your brothers and sisters and parents along the way.

You are loved in your humanness, in your oppression, in your pain and in your faithlessness.

You are loved, not because you are perfect, but in spite of that.

You are going to make mistakes. You are going to hurt others with your words and actions, hopefully unintentionally, but sometimes on purpose. You are going to make mistakes. You are going to feel broken. You are going to lose sight of your purpose and feel that all hope is gone.

You are going to have to face your demons. You are going to have to deal with people that bring you down. You are going to have to confront racism and sexism and just plain hatred, but you know what? You will continue to rise.

Because you are strong. And you are loved.

This world won’t be easy. You will have dark days, and happiness won’t always greet you at the front step. But I want you to know that you’re not alone. That you’re surrounded by heartbeats that continue, bodies that push forward, and minds that cease to give up.

I hope you feel inspired, even in your weakest moments.
I hope you find grace and healing where you least expect it.

But most of all, I hope you know that you are loved.
By so many, but especially by this imperfect stranger, writing this to you.