be·lov·ed: dearly loved
Have you ever felt God speak to you? What a concept, right? I was 17, at my first youth retreat. At the end of his message, the speaker asked everyone to spread out around the room. While the band played, we were to pray and ask God to speak to us.
As a new believer, this was foreign to me, but I found a little spot to call my own, closed my eyes, and prayed, “God, I have no idea what I’m doing, but if you’re listening, please speak to me.” Then, a still, small voice, an impression upon my heart (almost like a conscience), flooded my thoughts, “Amanda, you are my BELOVED.”
As a teenager who struggled with anorexia and depression, who had no concept of self-worth outside of her appearance and others’ approval… this moment transformed the way I saw myself forever. The God of the universe tells me I’M LOVED. Who am I to say differently?
I soon came to find out that my name, “Amanda,” actually means, “beloved.” Ooof. 🙌🏼 Two years later, I tattooed the word on my wrist as a daily reminder of WHO I AM and WHOSE I AM. I’m Amanda, and I’m loved. It’s one thing to know that in your head, but when you know it in your heart, it changes everything – the way you view yourself, the way you view others, the way you view the world. You are loved. 🖤
belovedwellness.com 