Hello Friends,

I had a hard time choosing a title today, so many to choose from came to mind.  How to summarize a discussion on how important it is to know the people around you.  Whether it is at work, in your neighborhood, or in your church was not easy.  The latter is the one I want to focus on the most.  

Recently at church, Sandra, an older lady who is very regular in church attendance, didn't come to our Sunday Morning Prayer meeting, so we were concerned.  In fact, I tried to get her address to go check on her, but Sandra had recently moved to a senior housing apartment complex, and we did not know her apartment number.  As I'm sure you can imagine, an elderly person who lives alone can easily fall and not be found for hours.  We ended up asking the police to do a welfare check to make sure she was ok.  It turned out she just felt like going for a drive and she was fine.   

So, now that you know that background, I'll share HER reaction to finding out we were concerned about her.   Between conversations I had with her, and other people, she was surprised that some people who greeted her the next week even knew her name.  Sandra didn't even think people knew who she was, let alone would even notice that she was not there.  She was shocked that people cared enough that we went looking for her, tried calling her (she has a cell phone, but for some reason it doesn't accept incoming calls right now).  She was touched that people would care so much, and that she had people coming up to her and greeting her the next Sunday letting her know they were glad she was there and ok.  I don't even think she minded the people that asked (or told) her to let us know next time, because we were worried.   We also made sure to get her apartment number so IF it happened again, it would be easier to check on her.

I desire for people to know they are loved.  That God loves them, that I love them, and they have others around them that love them.  Sandra felt that love when she realized so many people were concerned about her well-being.  Up until that point, I think she felt alone.  I think she equated lack of family with lack of those who love her.  I could be wrong, but based on comments she's made in the past, and on her surprised reaction, I don't think so.

We need to know people.  We need to notice people.  But more importantly, we need to let them know we know them.  People like Sandra, people like you, and people like me need to KNOW that they are known.  That they are not just another face in a crowd.  As Christians, we need to live in a way that it does not surprise other Christians that we know them and care about them.  Afterall, Galatians 6:2 says to "carry each others burdens," We can only do this if we know each other and let others know us.  

I love making people feel loved, but I'll admit sometimes I feel discouraged because I do not feel that love in return.  While that's not why I treat people the way I do, and I truly feel I am who I am for a reason, I'd be lying if I said I didn't sometimes pray that people would notice me too.  It was recently after such a prayer that I returned to church after missing a week for an out of town family thing.  Upon returning, my Sunday School leader, Michael, came up and asked me how my trip was and said he was glad I had a good time, and he just wanted to let me know I was missed.  Talk about God answering prayers!  It really pleased me that he said that.  He knew I was going to be gone, because I had mentioned going out of town, but he still let me know he knew.

I hope you were able to follow my logic, it's late and I'm getting tired, but wanted to post.  I hope you take away from this that you need to let fellow Christians know you see them, that you know them, and that you love them.  

I am a follower of Christ, I am not perfect, but I love Jesus.

Until Next Time,

Liz Allen