today. out of the blue, emma started singing "More" by Matthew West.

perze first taught it to her, and ever since, it’s number 1 on emma’s top bedtime hits.  but today, i heard her sing it:

"i love you more than the sun, and the stars, that i taught how to shine, you are mine, and you shine for me too. I love you, yesterday, and today, and tomorrow we’ll say it again, and again, I love you more."

when emma was really sick, this song was playing in the background and although I knew it was God’s song to us, I couldn’t help but apply it to my daughter.  And the immense love i felt for her made me realize how much God loves us and cherishes us…how concerned he is of us- esp. when we are not all together, when we are falling apart- how he sings with such passion- "…and i love you more that you can imagine, more than you can fathom. I LOVE YOU MORE THAN THE SUN AND YOU SHINE FOR ME."

and it really reminds me in such a tangible way with my daughter, that just as I love her, not because of what she does, but because of who she is- because she is mine, God loves us the same way- not of our merit, but because of who we are.  we shine not because of what we do, but because of who we are in him- because we are His…