Affirmation.

I adore the children I work with. They fill my heart with so much love. They are the funniest, sweetest, most loving children. Unfortunately there are times when they just get a little wild, rambunctious, loud, and forget how to listen and make good choices.

It never fails that right after I get on to someone for their behavior I hear a gentle voice say, "Miss Corey, I love you."

Majority of the time this child isn't even the one I had to get on to. She needs that affirmation from me. She needs to know even though I'm frustrated I still love her. That I still love all of them. There is no doubt in my mind that they know I love them. They need to know I'm not mad enough to stop loving them.

I've needed that affirmation from God before. During my darkest moments, those 8 months when I was lost, I needed to know that God still loved me. Even though I was not being the best person, I needed affirmation that He still loved me even though I felt unlovable. 

God loved me before I came to know Him. God loved me when I tried to rush his timing and failed miserably. God loves me now. He will love me when I mess up again. He loves me because He knows me. He knows my heart. He loves me and I love Him. 

I hope my room full of children know I will always love them. Even when they spit on the floor, hit their friend, throw wood chips at the bumble bee for the 100th time, I will still love them because those things don't make them who they are.