What's to Miss?

Isn’t it odd that when we go away as parents and/or a wife and return, we ask, “Did you miss me?”   It is a question we don’t have to always ask because our family may volunteer an exuberant “We missed you!”

I was in California for 31 days exactly.  My family called, texted, and/or welcomed me with, “I missed you.”  However, I walked into our house and saw the house in perfect order.  I was proud that my family was able to cook, clean, wash and “survive” in my absence.  However, the thought came to my mind, “Did they really missed me”.

This morning I read an entry from a small devotional book entitled Sunny Side Up by Alma Barkman.  The book was printed in 1977.  The author shares snippets of her life to encourage homemakers.  She shed some light on women’s’ various feelings of wanting appreciation, wanting to be needed, or feelings of loneliness.  She shared that families can run homes without us, that the church committees, choir, etc. can function without us, but certain qualities are missed without our presence.  She states, “We tend to overlook the quality we lend by our presence. “ 

She explains, “There are times when we are set aside by circumstances beyond our control, but we should never allow loneliness to destroy our sense of worth.  God has created us for individual purposes, and life is made richer for someone because of you.”

So my prayer today is to walk more like Jesus and giving Godly love.  If life can go on without me, then when I am part of someone’s life my goal will be to add something to their lives and that they will see a quality in me that draws them to God.  It is a hard goal because I cannot make everyone happy nor make them even “like” me, but my heart will be gratified in knowing that somewhere, someone is living a life that when I am around they feel loved, needed, and appreciated.  If they don’t “feel” it, then I can only go to God and ask for forgiveness for falling short.  I can thank Him for the opportunity to try doing His will and experience the joy that others add to my life for knowing and sharing life with them.

If you are lonely or feel unappreciated today, please know that you mean more than you know to others.  You have qualities that only you can provide to your family, friends and acquaintances.  You are important to God and He has a purpose for putting you in the paths of those you live with, meet and serve. 

You matter so be the best “You” and bring God glory with your special qualities!

Colossians 3:12-15

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.