One of my favorite songs sung in Church when I was little was “I am a Child of God”.

I am a Child of God,

And He has sent me here

Has given me an earthly home,

With parents kind and dear

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me

Help me find the way

Teach me all that I must do

To live with Him someday

I am a Child of God,

And so my needs are great

Help me to understand my worth,

Before it grows too late

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me

Help me find the way

Teach me all that I must do

To live with Him someday

What does it mean to be a Child of God?

Several things come to my mind.

• First, is that He loves me.  At times, it is hard to imagine how much.  I know how much I love my children and if I am capable of loving them as much as I do, how much MORE can an infinitely loving Father in Heaven love me?

• Second, is that we have far more potential and worth than we will ever know.  Since we are his children, then He has planted seeds within us to become more and more like Him.  Just like I teach my children (to the best of my abilities) to be virtuous and loving individuals.

• Third, is that He understands we need to learn and grow.  This is the purpose of the Atonement… to give us the opportunity for growth (oftentimes through painful mistakes or other challenges in life) while still providing a way for the Law of Justice to be fulfilled.  Through loving mercy, all of our sins and mistakes have already been paid for and so we can be completely pure and innocent in His eyes to enter into His presence again someday.

How can your life be blessed by understanding you are a Child of God? I guess the better question would be “How could your life NOT be blessed” by this knowledge.

I have found that as I have discovered my worth and felt God’s love, I am kinder to myself and others.  I forgive easier.  I love easier.  And I make better choices.  I pick myself up when I make mistakes and I encourage myself to do better… to keep going.

How can this knowledge help us be better parents and help our children? As you look at your children and understand that they, too, are children of God it can help you view them as your equal.  You can look into their eyes and see that they are also your spirit brother and sister.  They have thoughts, feelings, dreams, and aspirations – just like you.

If we want to raise our children to be loving, patient, forgiving adults – then it starts with us.  We need to understand our relationship to our Father in Heaven in order to help our children understand that relationship, too.  So start with you… see the child within you… love yourself… be kind and forgiving to yourself… and that same unconditional love will emanate from you and reach your children.  The best teaching principle is to TEACH BY EXAMPLE – after all, isn’t that what the Savior did when He came to earth?

Understand your worth through God’s eyes and I promise that you will feel loved like you have never felt before… then, you will be able to extend that love to your children and teach them the God-given potential that lies within each of them.  I believe this is the first principle in finding your mission in life.  Please teach it… and live it… completely.