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| "Mommy, look at my picture!" |
One phrase I hear everyday from my kids is “Look at me! Mommy watch me!” and it won’t stop until I have turned my eyes, face and body towards my child. Then when I have watched the thing, we can continue on to the rest of our day. It can be looking at them eating a spoonful of yogurt or jumping off the couch or writing a letter. Big and small things, my girls want me to see them. It reminds me how I want to be seen too. I want to have people look at me, care about who I am and what I am doing. I crave that validation.
But sometimes, no one sees me or validates what I am doing. Which makes me feel sad and alone. Like my kids, I cry out to Jesus, “Look at me!” And when I tell him that I feel lonely or alone or like no one cares; He shows up for me. It’s happened through a friend reaching out to me or seeing a sign that gives me encouragement. He shows up every time. He never fails to see me, to know me and what I care about.
If I feel this way sometimes, I know that there are others out there who feel it too. I think about how God can use me to help others feel seen, known and loved. To be that friend that reaches out or smiles or says hello. Jesus says that we are to see those in need, whether it be spiritual needs or physical needs.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ {Matthew 25:35-40}
We all get thoughts that cross our mind about unique ways we can help people or something can bring a certain person to our mind. Act on those thoughts! It might be scary to make that first move, but that person might be dying to be seen, known, and loved!
How has Jesus helped you feel known? How can you help others feel seen?
