All the Father's Favorites by Pete BriscoeSample

Not Playing Favorites

People who LIKE movies have a favorite. People who LOVE movies couldn’t possibly choose. — Nicole Yatsonsky

My kids used to come up and ask me, “Dad, who’s your favorite?” I’d answer the same way every time: “You’re all my favorite!” Then they’d walk away disappointed. I said all, but it kind of sounded like none.

Now, if we don’t know the truth about God, we might feel the same when He says,

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God… (Galatians 3:26)

One day, one of our sons asked my wife, “Mommy, who’s your favorite kid?” She grabbed him by the shoulders, looked him in the eyes, and said, “Liam, you are my favorite child.”

He had a huge smile on his face. “Really? Yes!” He was so happy.

My daughter overheard the conversation. A little while later, she asked, “Mom, who is your favorite child?”

Libby grabbed our daughter by the shoulders, looked her in the eyes, and said, “Annika, you are my favorite child.”

Our third child overheard that conversation and—as you can imagine—he came in and asked the same question. My wife responded in the same way, “Cameron, you are my favorite.”

She and I said the same thing, didn’t we? “You’re all my favorite.” But it felt different when she said it. It felt personal as they each—individually—realized they were her favorite.

I’m going to make a wild statement here: You are God’s favorite. Stop and feel it. God’s capacity to love is infinitely more extravagant than any earthly parent, and right now He’s grabbing you by the shoulders, looking you in the eyes, and saying, “You are my favorite!”

Lord, as men and women, boys and girls, we’re unable to express the full thanks we feel at being Your children. If I’m honest, I can’t completely imagine actually being Your favorite. It blows my mind. I pray Your Holy Spirit will help me understand just how much You love me. Amen.