One of the nicest things anyone ever said about me was that I was the favorite. We don’t hear that very often, and it’s a hard thing to accept. Showing favoritism is generally frowned upon even by God. “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism” (James 2:1). Showing favoritism can cause problems if it leads to treating some people better than others. But being the favorite is empowering! It’s thrilling! It’s motivating! It means that someone we admire thinks we’re special. It takes a very gracious person to convince you that maybe you really are the favorite. You never want to let that person down.

I gave each of my children many opportunities to be my favorite. All of my grandchildren are my favorites, and I spoil them to prove it. I’ve been married to my favorite wife for over 40 years and never wanted a different one. And you are my favorite readers.

God shows favoritism to all of us. He said, “Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 14:2). He convinced us to believe in him and that we are his dearest treasures. He does great things in each of our lives because we are special to him. We live each day with shameless awareness of his undeserved love, and we just can’t thank him enough.