If you ask my children every one of them will say that they are my favorite. Don’t ask me why they even brought this up, but one day they asked me in front of each other. So, Mom, we each believe we are your favorite child and we all have our reasons for believing this, so who is your favorite? I answered, “You are all my favorites”. When I first said this they could not comprehend it. In fact, they didn’t even think that was possible. I have to say I felt like I was receiving a great honor in the area of love. For each of my children to feel so loved that they believe they are my favorite, sent praises of joy to God the giver of this wonderment. They said to me, “You must have a favorite”. I said, “Well, I do and that is all of you”. You are all my favorites. I like to believe most parents feel the same way as I do, for each child is uniquely different and adds a different spice to your life. My children took me by surprise with their question that day. So I didn’t get to say everything that I would have like to have said, so here it is now. 

There is no one in the world just like you. On top of your own uniqueness, our family placed values in you. These things were passed on to us through generations of God-fearing descendants. So know you are a rare gem that is priceless. The LORD has known you even before you showed up here on earth. He created you with a special plan and purpose. Yet He won’t force His plan on you, but He knowingly placed the unique gift of you in our life for a reason. You showed up at the perfect time in history to show off your talents. Before you were even born I prayed for you. I knew without a doubt God was going to gift you to me and I not only prayed for you, but I prayed for your spouses also. So for years before you even showed up here, I smiled at everyone believing that your future spouses may be out there already. I wanted them to know that they were loved and I prayed that my smiles would reach and contagiously infect them with joy. I wanted them to know that they are loved. I already loved them the same as I love you. Yes, they were designed to be mine just as you were. So when you ask me who is my favorite, how can I place one unique gift from God over another? All of you have a special purpose that can’t be measured by human standards. When God gifted our family with 2 special needs grandchildren there became an even deeper understanding of the extent that love will go in order to reveal itself. Love understands that we all have a purpose and that same love challenges us so we can understand the depth of our own roots. Each of you is so valued by God so much that He sent His only son to die for you. So how could I view you any differently? With all this being said, how could you not be my favorite? You kids always say, “Mom always looks at the good in us”. Why wouldn’t I? You each have a special place in my heart that can only be filled by you! You are the given extension of my love which keeps me from selfish desires. What an amazing power you hold just by existing. Do you do everything the way I think you should? No, if you did, you would be me, and there is only one me. I have my place, time and purpose here just like you do. I’m so glad to have all of you as my favorites. What you have experienced through me is a love called agape. It is not something of myself, it can only be placed in someone by our Creator. Just as you were loved you must love. You must desire to express agape love to fully live your intended purpose-filled life. So humbly stay at the foot of the cross. The Bible tells us that he who seeks will find. So search the scriptures for they are your rich inheritance. Yes, there is no one here on earth that can do, say, or even put things into action like you and for that, I feel thankful and blessed to have you in my life. Remember, there is only one that can turn ordinary love into an extraordinary one of a kind “favorite” love for all, and that is Christ Jesus our Lord!