When you see a heart-shaped locket, there’s a photo or two inside. The idea is that you place pictures of people you love dearly close to your heart, wearing it around your neck as a reminder that those you love are always near—even when they seem far away.

We should all wear a heart-shaped locket to remind us of God’s truth: that we are loved because He is love, and there’s no greater love than that of Jesus Christ, who died in our place. He came when we felt like we could no longer go on—when we were so ashamed of who we had been, when we felt there was no hope and that the world was too dark. Jesus entered our lives, saved us from ourselves and from the enemy. He takes our broken hearts and puts them back together again, making them completely whole.

He came so that we would know:

1. His Father in heaven is a God of compassion.
2. He has experienced every emotion we as humans face.
3. He fought the same battles, including death, and He won.

He is always with us. He has given us the Holy Spirit to hold near and dear to our hearts. When we are saved, He dwells within us. That power and that love live inside us. So when we feel alone, we can look inside our heart-shaped locket and remember God’s Word, and how He shows us each and every day how deeply loved we are as His children.

Often times, heart-shaped lockets are given as gifts—and God’s love is the ultimate gift. It was love that rolled the stone away, because it was a symbol to us that death has been defeated. If the stone had remained, Jesus still could have gotten out. But because it was rolled away, His disciples were able to see inside and witness God’s glory on display! We as His followers have the knowledge from their testimonies that the tomb was truly empty, that Jesus was alive once more, and that the enemy had not won.

The photos of our loved ones placed inside the locket are a beautiful reminder of those we have been blessed with on this side of Heaven. It is important to remember though that no one is perfect except for Jesus Christ alone. Our loved ones may let us down. They may break our hearts. But the Lord will never let us down. He is the ultimate healer of our hearts. We can trust Him to keep us close and to remind us, in all His goodness, that He chooses us. We are His!

I’ve fallen into the trap of carrying in my heart the lies that have been repeated about my identity. It’s been a continuous challenge to block the false beliefs that lead to feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness, guilt, embarrassment, disappointment, and the sense that I am a burden.

Yet the whisper of my Heavenly Father never fails to calm my soul when I remember to listen for it in times of pain and despair.

He tells me that I am His daughter and that I don’t have to measure up to any standard. He wraps His loving arms around me and reminds me that I am a priceless work of art. Just like a locket that serves as a reminder of God’s abounding love, I was formed with even more precious materials than silver, gold, or platinum could ever dream of being.

Everything that makes me who I am was carefully pieced together to create the child God desired me to be. Because I am made in His image, I have nothing to fear and no reason to tear myself down.

Each of us has been uniquely crafted by a Creator who possesses mighty power and a beautiful love for His creation. God created both me and you with a purpose in mind.

Whenever you feel empty or alone, allow God to fill your heart with everything you will ever need…and then some.