…ito ang sinasabi ni Yahweh na lumikha sa iyo, “Huwag kang matatakot sapagkat ililigtas kita. Tinawag kita sa iyong pangalan, ikaw ay akin.”

Isaias 43:1

Noong bata pa si Criza, her father left their family for another woman. After 3 years, her mother left her and her siblings, too. Sa murang edad, Criza had to work different jobs para lang may maipakain sa tatlong nakababatang kapatid. She had to grow up fast and be the adult in the family, and it had been that way ever since.

Naisip niya, sa hirap ng buhay niya, hindi siguro siya mahal ng Diyos. She believed this until a good Samaritan approached her at an outreach activity. Habang nakapila para humingi ng pagkain, kinausap siya ng babae and shared the love of Jesus to her. For the first time in so many years, Criza felt like someone really cared. Hindi lang ’yon, pinangakuan din siya ng kinabibilangan nitong organization that she will have a full scholarship in college.

Katulad ni Criza, it is natural to feel lonely and overlooked because of life’s unfortunate circumstances. You might feel like no one cares and no one loves you. Pero hindi totoong walang nagmamahal sa iyo. In today’s verse, the Prophet Isaiah gives us a powerful reminder na alam ng Panginoon ang pangalan mo. Kilala ka Niya and you are His.

You are deeply known and unconditionally loved by the One who created you. Kahit i-reject ka ng mga tao sa paligid mo, God’s love for you will never change. And that truth becomes sweeter dahil sa katotohanan na God loves you just as you are. It’s not because of your achievements, what you do, or how others see you. He sees you as worthy enough para ibigay Niya ang Anak Niyang si Jesus para iligtas ka sa kasalanan.