#54: A reminder for the try-hard girl when "Jesus loves me" feels cliche

You've sung "Jesus Loves Me" since forever, but now it doesn't ring true. Do you need a gentle reminder of how crazy God is about you? Maybe you yelled at your kids this morning and feel like The Worst Mom ever. Maybe you had an abortion decades ago. Maybe you just feel a vague sadness that you were supposed to be better or have accomplished more or figured life out by now.  Maybe you believe -- even subconsciously -- that God loves a lot of other try-hard girls really well, but He loves you just a little bit less.  I don't know what it may be for you, but I know in my life, I've felt that God had to love me, was obligated to love, but didn't really like me. His love felt academic and I rarely experienced it. He felt more like a taskmaster telling me to "Do this!" but "Don't do that!" and less like a loving Father who loves to lavish good gifts on His girl. If any of that resonates with you, this is what I would say over coffee. February is the month of love. I'd like to show you some love and I'm wondering if you're willing to show me some love. Here's how it works: Each week I will select one person as a recipient of one of these three books: Reset: 20 Ways to a Consistent Prayer Life by Bob Sorge    Sister, Walk in Truth: Pursuing God's Truth in Today's Pop-Culture Christianity compiled by Chrystan Ferrell  Psalm Prayers for Kids: A 40-Day Prayer Journal by Sarah Keeling    To enter to win one of these books, would you either: Record a voice message using the Voice Memo app on your phone, including your name, state, and what you like about the podcast, then email it to me Or email me about how the podcast has helped you live out grace in real life. Just email the voice message or written testimonial to info at jill e mccormick dot com  I'll pick one winner every Tuesday at 12p CST. So we'll have winners selected on February 9, 16, and 23. And each winner will pick which book she'd like! Key Quotes There is nothing that you could do to make God love you more or less. In God's kingdom, there's no quid pro quo or reciprocity or bartering. There is only God's Son nailing your sins to the cross so you bear them no more. God is in the restoration business.  All of your past has led you here, and God will lead you to what makes you come fully alive. Hold tightly to God's hand for it is mighty to save and has your name written on it. Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! Reset: 20 Ways to a Consistent Prayer Life by Bob Sorge    Sister, Walk in Truth: Pursuing God's Truth in Today's Pop-Culture Christianity compiled by Chrystan Ferrell  Psalm Prayers for Kids: A 40-Day Prayer Journal by Sarah Keeling      Here's how to connect with Jill Website  GraceInRealLifePodcast.com  Instagram  Facebook group  Facebook page  Subscribe to Jill's weekly "the good + the grace" email