I See You
Encouragement When Feeling Forgotten, Ignored, and Unseen
A Sip of Encouragement
Each time I open a blank page on my computer to write, I think of you. I hope to bring a cup of living water, dipped from the words of God by the grace of the Spirit. First, I receive his sweet and cleansing refreshment and savor my delights in prayer. Then I ask Jesus to let me carry a portion to you, that it might quench where you need it most or nourish a divine seed of thought he has planted to grow. I pray for grace to communicate despite my inadequacies, and that he will soften my shortcomings for the sake of his love for you.
Some days, when I carry the cup to you, we may dive deeper into exploring a biblical truth while asking tough questions. On others, I might share a personal story of discovering his presence at work in my circumstances. Or we could walk together through the lessons found in a scripture passage. Sometimes, like today, I just want to offer encouragement.
I love to imagine us all cozied up in a group as we begin. Some of your faces I know. Some have shared your personal stories and challenges with me. But for all those who honor me with your time, I feel I know at least a little about you from your willingness to read the topics and questions we ponder.
What We Share in Common
I know you feel the world’s burden weighing on you at times—the hostility, the tragedies, the uncertainties. I know many share the common issues of keeping anxiety in check while wrangling the negative thoughts that skitter around our minds. I expect we all wrestle with the maintenance of our bodies that change without mercy as time passes. Does anyone else feel inadequate when facing a mountain of “to do’s” (and “want to do’s”) that tumble down around like a collapsing land fill?
You have struggled with illness and endured ongoing physical pain, sidelined while life forges on and responsibilities pile up. You have worried about children as they grow toward independence in a world that pulls hard against them in every direction. You’ve lassoed your frustrations to manage the petty irritations that waste your energy and tempt your spirit. You’ve gulped deep breaths of courage to tackle the obstacles in your path toward crucial goals.
“...we all take our turn in the lonely and silent waiting times—weary and overlooked—feeling forgotten, ignored, and unseen.”
Probably, some of you have lain in a dark room with your eyes closed wondering if you can meet the day with the grief you carry. Perhaps, regret haunts your memories as you relive past actions and missed opportunities, now swept far behind in life’s swift current. Likely, the ghosts of denied dreams join in the barrage and revive a far-off ache. For others of us, fear attempts to threaten from every dark corner with low growls of “what ifs.” And then we all take our turn in the lonely and silent waiting times—weary and overlooked—feeling forgotten, ignored, and unseen.
The Need to Be Seen
As a kindergartner, I watched a children’s show called Romper Room. The young and pretty female host reminded me of a pre-school teacher. “Miss Nancy” enthralled me because she shared my mother’s name. My favorite part came at the end of each show when Miss Nancy would pick up her sparkling magic mirror. She would peer through the glassless frame, look into the camera, and begin naming the friends she could “see” watching the show in “TV Land.” Each time, while almost holding my breath, I waited with my face pressed close to the television set, longing for her to say, “I see Sandra!” Though fuzzy, I have the memory that one time she did call my name, and I shouted out, “Mommy, she saw me! She saw me!”
Oh, the deep need we have to be seen! The sweetest comfort God sends to my heart in such times are the simple words: I know. I’m with you. When plodding through spaces of invisible progress or unanswered prayer, God often rejuvenates me with tiny sparkles that reassure me of his presence. They are not solutions, explanations, or progress. Instead, they feel like a gentle hug, or a wink, or a tender hand to my cheek, or eyes filled with sympathetic tears connecting with mine. They may arrive in the form of providential coincidences tailored just for me. I may read a passage that addresses my exact emotion or question after a time of prayer. I might receive an unsolicited word from someone who would never know how much I needed to hear what they said. My sister calls these events, “soul kisses,” a kind of secret communion from the Lover of my soul. They let me know he sees me.
God Sees Us
God writes to us that his eye attentively watches and guards us, no matter our feelings or circumstances. These words of Scripture bring me comfort when I feel alone in all those common conditions of life we experience at one time or another:
“Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” (Jeremiah 23:24a)
He sees us no matter how hidden we feel or have made ourselves.
"For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9a)
He sees our devotion to him and strengthens us.
“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry for help.” (Psalm 34:15)
He sees us and hears our cry for help.
“…the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer.” (1 Peter 3:12a)
He sees us and hears our prayers.
“The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)
He sees the good you do despite those who fight against you.
“…he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair.” (Luke 7:44)
He sees your loving service for him, even when others don’t.
"See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
He sees you and wants to be with you.
Following Jesus means being united with him through it all—intimately seen, heard, and loved.
“I hope you hear the cheers of angels and saints when you run out to meet the unknowns of the day, like heroes racing onto the champion’s field. Although weak and weary, you lift your battered shield of faith none-the-less.”
You Inspire Courage
Because you and I share the same journey with Jesus, I know how hard you try, and try, and try again. When you fail or stumble, I applaud with joy when you reclaim your feet and get back in it. I hope you hear the cheers of angels and saints when you run out to meet the unknowns of the day, like heroes racing onto the champion’s field. Although weak and weary, you lift your battered shield of faith none-the-less. You inspire me. I’m so proud of you.
If I were your “Miss Nancy,” I would conclude our chat by saying: “Jesus sees you…” and I would call out each of your names with joy. For the days you feel hidden and long to be seen as you persevere following the steps of Jesus, let me encourage you with these words from Henri Nouwen:
“The desire to be relevant and successful will gradually disappear, and our only desire will be to say with our whole being to our brothers and sisters of the human race, ‘You are loved. There is no reason to be afraid.’”
Dear friends, both those I’ve met and those I’ll meet someday, I reach out to you with my soul eyes to see all of you who explore God’s luminosity with me. I’m so grateful to walk with you on this side of kingdom come. Let us walk in our light of victory and love, encouraging one another that we need not be afraid.
Where in your life would you ask God for a soul kiss?
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Source Notes:
Nouwen, Henri J. M. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. New York, New York: Crossroad, 198).