Who Remembers Me?

A few weeks ago I wrote an encouragement to remember God’s faithfulness. Today I’m calling us to consider remembrance again but from a different angle—one that shapes our identities and fills our longing to be known.

God Remembers

The news is ever-changing, the chimes of social media ring more incessantly than ever, and while my physical body remains confined to home my mind is anything but still.

There is talk about having more time and less busyness during this time of social distancing, but I wonder if that’s the reality for most of us. Work is ongoing for many, children are home from school, and there are lots of distractions to find within our houses or on our phones.

We want to give more time and attention to being in God’s presence and establishing spiritual disciplines, but our focus is pulled in many different directions. Our remembrance of God is riddled with imperfections and periods of forgetfulness, but God remembers us perfectly.

You are not forgotten.

Waiting to be Remembered

In my post-college years, I struggled at times to feel a sense of belonging. I prayed for close friendships and deep, life-giving conversations. I lived life taking my kids to the park, going to church, lingering at school drop-off, waiting to see if those relationships would find me. I lived in a place of hopeful expectation until God nudged me to open my eyes to the reality around me.

While I was waiting for someone to pursue me, I was missing opportunities to initiate a conversation or offer an encouragement to someone else who was harboring the exact same longing for connection.

If I’m really vulnerable, I would even say that my inaction, my waiting and hoping, was actually driven by fear. I feared that I would reach out to someone and find rejection. I wondered if I didn’t have anything to offer. I assumed all the friend groups were full and not looking for an add-on. Do you see the lies I accepted as truth?

I remained in this place of longing, waiting for someone to prove these fears wrong and demonstrate a desire to know me. Isn’t that what we all want? To be known?

Looking to the One Who Provides

I mentioned earlier that God nudged me to open my eyes. That looked like long conversations with my husband, tearful prayers, and many a gentle, wise word received from mentors. God reminded me that He is the one who sees me, pursues me, and knows me.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3 ESV)

When I dwell on God’s truths about his lavish love for me, that I am his child, that He knows and cares about every aspect of my life, I find my satisfaction in Christ. I am known and seen. I do not have to wait for someone else to affirm my worthiness. And neither do you. From that place of fullness I was equipped to initiate and offer connection to others around me.

You are not forgotten. God never forgets you.

God sees you and knows the hurts and hopes of your heart. When God remembers, it isn’t just a thought in the air. God remembers by taking action and intervening. That action doesn’t always look like what we want or predict, but for those in Christ, He is working all things together for our good, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Moving On, Reaching Out

What is our response to God when we feel forgotten? We cry out to Him. We tell Him of our need, our longing, our unmet desire. He is waiting to hear from us. But then, we don’t stay there. We trust God that He sees us, remembers us and is faithful to provide. In that place we rest, we trust, we worship, and we practice gratitude.

Of course, not everyone I approach or text or invite reciprocates my enthusiasm for seeking out this type of connection. But because I remind myself of who God says I am, the voice of fear has no say.

A recent Cigna survey revealed that nearly half of Americans always or sometimes feel alone (46%) or left out (47%). And 54% said they always or sometimes feel that no one knows them well.

One of the devil’s tools is to isolate, to plant seeds that you are the only one struggling with a particular issue. If you count yourself as one of the lonely, know that you are never truly alone. If this isn’t your current struggle, remember there’s a 50% chance that the next stranger you encounter is craving to be known.

You are not forgotten. God never forgets you. Yes, I said that already, but I’m hoping you’ll remember it this time.

How do you find connection and meaningful relationships? When has God reminded you of His presence, that you are not forgotten?