When we think about God, the first image that usually comes to mind is this larger-than-life being who looms over all things. The words often used to describe him sound so masculine: omnipotent, omniscient, the Alpha and the Omega, the great I Am. All of these names are true descriptions of him, and as our protector and refuge, it just seems right that his names conjure up images of strong towers, a large rock, or an eagle. But I recently heard someone say that “God is a girl dad” and it got me thinking about all the other ways I know him to be: tender, loving, kind, eternal, patient, graceful, someone who sees me. Soft words usually reserved for a motherly, more feminine figure. And yet they truly describe God too.

If you think about all the ways God showed himself to the famous men of the Bible, there was always so much force involved. And often, the men had to travel to somewhere to see God. Mountains where they would meet him, tents that had to be built to exact specifications, bushes that burned, blindness on the road to Damascus, wrestling until the sun rose, or having to sacrifice your son. But in the stories where God met women, he always met them where they were. He met Hagar while she was desperate in the desert, he waited for an adulterous woman at the well, he turned around and touched an unclean woman, he defended a sinner from being stoned to death, Jesus honored his mother Mary up to his death. Time and time again God shows up for women in the most tender, softest ways. Of course God loves us all equally and without favoritism, but God also shows just how much he cherishes his daughters. We are so precious in his eyes, and we hold such a special place in his heart.

Today is Mother’s Day, and as a gift to all the moms and mom-figures, whether biological or not, I just wanted to remind you of this. As mothers we are often required to give and give and give until it feels like there’s nothing left. Sometimes it feels like we’re always at the bottom of our own lists, and we have to function no matter what. Remember the way our Father loves us… soft, tender, precious. He keeps us so close to his heart, that no matter where we are, he will always meet us there. We don’t have to run on empty for as long as we are seeking validation and filling our cups from the source that never runs out. With Jesus, you can shrug off the ridiculous standards of this world and simply be. Fall into his arms, exhausted, empty, running ragged—whatever your state is—and you will find the rest that is bone-deep. He sees you. He knows you. He loves you, so very, very much. God is a girl dad, and you can always count on him to know exactly what you need.

Happy mother’s day, ladies. May your cups be filled to overflowing today, and every day.