Beloved

I was reading the last few verses in the book of Jude this morning:

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

I've read these verses before. I even had them underlined in my Bible. Except for one word. Guess which word i did not underline.
Beloved.
Why? Did i not think it necessary? But it's there for a reason...look at verse 21. Keep yourselves in the love of God. Love is apparently important-and we only love him because he first loved us. Did i not think myself beloved the last time i read this? i wish i could remember when that was. i found strength in these verses apparently, they told me something to do. But i saw them more as an order from a general than a gentle command from a loving Father who asks this because he loves me. i am stunned that i never realized this before. of course i thought God loved me. He loves everybody, it's not that hard to learn that in Sunday School. but me? really, personally, me? have i ever felt it this way before? i can remember times i have felt overwhelmed by his love - but again, it was only love as a big, universal thing - now, i feel as though it is entirely directed at me. as though i am the sole object of his love. through experiences in my life, i can understand it better now than when i first read this. i am humbled and in awe. i am beloved.