Under the Radar

Do you feel seen?

I bet that most of you would probably want more information about that question, like where do you feel seen or in what situation. Or perhaps you can automatically answer no, I don't feel seen. I feel like I'm traveling under the radar of everyone I am close to.

Let me ask you another question. Do you know of anyone who doesn't feel seen?

If you're reading this quickly and don't feel like truly thinking about it, then you might be scrolling to the end or quickly dismissing my question. But let's be real and take a moment here. Is there anyone in your life that needs to be reached out to?

A lot of times we want to say, "I was the one who texted first the last five times. Why should I reach out again?" Or you might just be tired of trying to connect people, especially in a time when connection has been made much more difficult due to social distancing requirements.

But the truth is, we need connection now more than ever.

People are creatures of habit. We like to go back to the same places for fulfillment and satisfaction. When we no longer find it in that place, we often give up hoping that we will ever find those things. But maybe the reason why you feel drained or neglected is because you are searching for connection in the wrong places. You are telling everyone that you can start meeting with them once coffee shops open up again or when things go back to "normal".

But we don't know when that is, and if it will even happen, and by the time it does, it might be too late.

We can't waste the time we do have. If you aren't feeling seen right now, I want to encourage you.

You are loved and cherished and people really do care about you. It's just that sometimes people get so absorbed in tasks that they forget how to fully appreciate the people who mean the most to them.

To those of you who can think of someone (or many people) who are currently going under the radar by everyone around them, I encourage you to reach out and remind them of their worth. Today I received a simple kind text message from a friend, and that made my day. It's the little things that can take less than a few minutes that mean the world to people.

So don't wait until the person who's been quiet all this time has to explode in order to get noticed. Don't wait until they silently suffer for so long that they lose all hope.

Go out there and change the world. Make it a kinder place simply by being you.

We were created to bring light into this world. Let's start right now.

***

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." ~Hebrews 10:23-25

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." ~1 Peter 4:8-10

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." ~1 Thessalonians 5:11