Sheri Rose Shepherd - His Princess: Love Letters from Your King

You did not choose Me but I chose you.

JOHN 15:16, NIV

RECENTLY I WAS FLYING HOME from speaking at a weekend womens retreat. I leaned back in my seat, exhausted, and began to reflect on the last few days spent with such wonderful women. We laughed, we cried, we ate too much and slept too little. I felt privileged that so many of the ladies felt safe enough to share with me the painful parts of their lives that few had seen.

As I sat there staring out at the clouds below and the heavens above, I wanted desperately to see a miracle in the lives of my new friends. I couldnt help but wonder if anything I said would give Evelyn the encouragement she needed to start over again, help heal Joyces heart from her past, give Kim the ability to forgive those who hurt her, or provide Jan the strength to get through her trials. Life can be so hard to handle. Could one weekend of truth, transparency, and teaching give them what they needed to complete Gods call on their lives?

I began to reflect on my own life and the years I wasted not knowing Gods plan, His purpose, and the power that was mine for the asking. I regret the poor choices I made that led me down a road of self-destruction to a life filled with drugs, depression, and eating disorders. In the midst of my misery, I was convinced that all I needed was to lose weight and be pretty and popular. Even after I overcame my addictions and lost weight, I found myself driven by money and success and desperately needing the approval of others. Even achieving a successful career and winning beauty crowns could not complete me.

In the midst of my emptiness and pain, a missionary couple shared with me about the great, eternal crown offered to me by God. I knew I had finally found the answer when I accepted His gift of eternal life, yet it still took me years to truly discover freedom from my past and the call He had on my life. Today, I am a new creation and I have left the past where it belongsat the cross.

The airplane brought me safely home that weekend, but my heart ached for the countless women who would go home that night feeling anything but safeor at home. With these thoughts tugging at my heart and after reviewing my own life, I realized we can live beyond our pain and our past, our fears and failures, and becomeHis princesses.

I know how hard it is for us to look at our lives and think of ourselves as royalty. But the truth is, God is our King and we are chosen by Him (1 Peter 2:9). Unfortunately, many of us have traded the truth of who God says we are for a tarnished version of ourselves, fashioned by the approval of others and adorned with our own insecurities.

I searched the Scriptures over the next few months and wrote what I thought God might say personally to us if we would really hear Him with our heart, take Him at His Word, and have enough faith to believe what He says.

I pray as your soul soaks in these love letters that you will never again doubt who you are, Why you are here, and how much you are loved.

Love,

Sheri Rose

I chose you before the foundation of the earth to be MY princess. You are royalty even when you dont feel like a princess. I will wait for you until you are ready to start living the amazing plans I have for you. I know you dont know where to begin or how to become what Ive called you to be, so let Me teach you day by day. Start by recognizing who I am: King of kings and Lord of lords. The Lover of your soul. When the two of us meet alone together every day, I will show you how to let go of the things in your life that are holding you back from the blessings I want to give you.

Remember, My child, just as I have chosen you, I have given you a choice to represent Me to the world. If you are willing, I am here to give you all you need to complete your calling.

Love,

Your King and Lord who chose you

YOU DIDNT CHOOSE ME, I CHOSE YOU.
I APPOINTED YOU TO GO AND PRODUCE FRUIT
THAT WILL LAST, SO THAT THE FATHER WILL GIVE
YOU WHATEVER YOU ASK LOR, USING MY NAME.

JOHN 15:16

Y ou are a daughter of the King, and not just any king. You are My daughter, and I am the God of all heaven and earth. Im delighted with you! You are the apple of My eye. Youre Daddys girl. Your earthly father may love and adore you, but his love is not perfect, no matter how greator smallit is. Only My love is perfectbecause I am Love. I formed your body. I fashioned your mind and soul. I know your personality, and I understand your needs and desires. I see your heartaches and disappointments, and I love you passionately and patiently. My child, I bought you with a price so that we could have an intimate relationship together for all eternity. Soon we will see each other face-to-faceFather and daughterand you will experience the wonderful place I have prepared for you in paradise. Until then, fix your eyes on heaven, and walk closely with Me. You will know thatalthough I am GodMy arms are not too big to hold you, My beloved daughter.

Love,

Your King and your Daddy in heaven

And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.

2 CORINTHIANS 6:18

I know you want to be accepted by others, but you were not made to fit in. You, My princess, were created to stand out. Not to draw attention to yourself, but to live the kind of life that leads others to Me. Remember, its your choices that will pave your path to life. I will not force you to do anything. I have given you a free will to walk with Me or to walk away from Me. I want you to know that you can put on your crown at any time and let people know that you belong to Me. You have a royal call on your life. I want you to remember you wear the crown of everlasting life, and through you I will do abundantly more than you would ever dare to dream.

Love,

Your King and Crown Giver

Am I now trying to win
the approval of men,
or of God?
Or am I trying to please men?
If I were still trying to please men,
I would not be a servant of Christ.

GALATIANS 1:10, NIV

T he L ORD said:
It isnt too late.
You can still return to me
with all your heart.

JOEL 2:12, CEV

I t is never too late to turn to Me, My love. I didnt start a countdown when I gave you the choice between life and death. There is no time limit on My love for you. I am patient, yet I dont want you to miss out on any precious time with Me. There is no place you have to go to find Me. Just cry out to Me, and I will come to you. Wherever youve gone My grace has followed you. Whatever youve done My blood has covered you. Come to Me today, and I will do more than repair the damage doneI will restore what was lost. Someday you will look back on this moment as the turning point that transformed you into the princess I called you to be. Now come to Me, and lets fall in love all over again.

Love,

Your King who knows no limits