I'M PROUD OF YOU

by Jeff Hagan
(Tacoma, WA, USA)

The other day while I was online I got a message from my older sister. The message read, “I am proud of you. I would like to take you out to dinner this week, just us.” Jokingly I responded, “Are you sure you meant to send this to me?”

After my sarcastic reply, I began contemplating why I had said it in the first place. Was I really joking, or was there maybe something a bit deeper. Well, it was a bit of both. It was indeed witty, but I also realized that since I have been old enough to retain memories, only two people have said the words “I'm proud of you” to me. One is a very dear friend (and he's said it more than once), and the other was my sister in that message.

I'm not sure why I haven't been told that more often. I didn't grow up feeling like my parents were not proud of me. I guess they showed it in other ways, but still, hearing (or reading) those words is a powerful thing. Especially when said by a close friend, and even more so when said by a family member.

Has anyone ever said “I am proud of you” to you? Well, I know of Someone who is. Even if you have heard those words regularly during your life, knowing a friend or family member is proud of you pales in comparison to knowing that the One who created all things is proud of you. If you are a child of God, if God has brought you to Him through His Son, then He is proud of you and ultimately that is all that matters.

Psalm 149:4, “For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation” (ESV).

Matthew 12:18a, “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased” (ESV).

The Lord takes “pleasure in his people.” Are you one of God's people? If so, then be assured. Has God “chosen” you? If so, then know He is proud.

If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, God is proud of you. We come to God by grace through faith in His Son, if that describes you then know your Heavenly Father is proud of you. And not only is He proud, He will also reward you.

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (ESV).