Godly Gals ~ Shelly Wildman

Christian, Devos and Inspiration, Devotionals, godly gals, make a difference, mel's world, melissa mashburn, Ministry, real faith, real life, real women, Women's Ministry, writing

Precious
By Shelly Wildman

Last summer I felt like God was telling me to read the book of Daniel.

Daniel? 

Really, God?

I didn’t want to read it. I’m sure I had read it before and found the prophecies in the second half of the book way over my head. (They still are.)

But God kept nudging my heart toward Daniel, so I read it. And then I read it again. And I’m here to say that I fell in love with the book of Daniel.

And one little verse was the key for me.

In Daniel 9:23, the angel Gabriel (yes, the same Gabriel who visited Elizabeth and Mary in Luke chapter 1) visits Daniel as he is pouring out his heart before God, confessing his sin and praying for mercy on the people of Israel. 

Here’s what the angel says to Daniel:

“The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. . . .” (New Living Translation)

This verse practically jumped off the page of my Bible and kissed me in the face. I couldn’t believe how wonderful it was to read those words, “. . . you are very precious to God.”

I felt like God was telling me that it’s not just Daniel who was precious. I am also very precious to God. And you are too.

Precious enough that He hears our prayers.

Precious enough that He commands angels to help us.

Precious enough to reveal His word to us.

Have you ever felt like your ordinary life was just a little bit out of control? Like thing just weren’t going your way and you didn’t know how to get things back into place? I have. And if that’s you today, know this:  you are very precious to God.

Wherever He’s placed you, whatever your situation, He has not forgotten about you. You are very precious to Him.

For some reason last summer as I read those words, I knew that God had put them there for me. He wanted me to remember that I matter to Him. And He wants me to tell you that you matter too.

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”I John 3:1 (NLT)

A Little Bit About Shelly;
Shelly Wildman’s joy in life is her twenty-five year marriage to her college sweetheart, Brian, and being a mother to her three daughters.  Her professional path has taken many different directions from public relations and fundraising, to marketing, to freelance writer, to adjunct professor. Shelly blogs at “Life on the Wild Side”.
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Shelly, what wonderful and powerful words for all of us to remember…we ARE precious to Him!  What a gift that is, thank you for reminding each of us that!  You are too sweet…thank you for sharing with us today!
Ladies…have you sat here week after week and thought about, dreamed about, or even prayed about the possibility of writing something for the Godly Gals series, but never took the time to even find out what the submission guidelines are?  Why don’t you?
Take a minute today to pray about it then email me at melsworldministry {at} gmail {dot} com and just ask for a copy of the guidelines.  That doesn’t mean you have to do anything but it is the first step…maybe to a brand new adventure!  I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon! ~ Melissa
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