I was sitting at a favorite breakfast place with two of my closest friends for a pre-birthday brunch.

Good food, great conversation.

One of my friends slid a card across the table and began speaking these words over me:

“Lori, God gave me a word for you.

Hand-picked.

You are hand-picked by God.”

She went on to mention:

• Hand-picked by God to be your kid’s mom
• To be Eddie’s wife
• A science teacher
• Bible study leader
• Blogger
• Friend

She proceeded to name many of the roles I have right now in my life.

The tears began to flow as I sat there being blessed by my friend’s words. I couldn’t respond in the moment because the ‘ugly cry’ was catching in my throat.

She had no idea I had spent the last few days fasting (Well… not a complete fast, just sweets. Let’s be real… I’m a terrible faster!) I had been asking God for affirmation and direction in what I’m doing in my life.

Isn’t that amazing that God cares SO much he would send a personal messenger to speak those words over me?

Hand-picked by God.

The dictionary defines hand-picked as:

Carefully selected.

Specially selected.

And my favorite…

To select personally with care.

Do you ever have those times in life when you are fighting discouragement and missing God’s personal message to you in His Word? It’s all throughout the Bible… you are hand-picked by God (selected personally with care) which is stated many times as chosen.

Think of the word chosen. It encompasses being loved and enjoyed.

It’s personal!

Chosen carries the weight of significance and purpose.

God has a personal plan for each one of us.

Ephesians 1:11 (New Living Translation) “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan.”

As I fight feelings of insecurity and insignificance, I am coaching myself to focus on the thought that I am hand-picked by God. I am chosen to walk this life of faith in the strength of the Holy Spirit in all my roles and responsibilities.

And I am encouraging YOU to do the same.

Change your thoughts to change how you feel, starting with healthy self-talk.

If I was seated across from you, enjoying a good cup of coffee and great conversation, I would find the moment to say the same words to you.

You are hand-picked by God…

personally selected with care…

to walk in the many roles He’s put you in.

I would reassure you He has a plan for your life. I would coach you to fight the thoughts of discouragement and disappointment with words of truth from Scripture.

I would quote Colossians 3:1b-2 (The Message) “Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ— that’s where the action is. See things from HIS perspective.“

And His perspective is:

You are hand-picked

Personally selected with care

Chosen