TO BE LOVED

We all want to be SEEN for who we are

After all, each of us is unique

We might be

Short

Tall

Medium height

Spunky

Shy

Vivacious

Out-going

Loud

Quiet

Thoughtful

Considerate

Active

Sweet

Caring

Care-free

Fearless

Bold

Careful 

Impulsive

Hesitant

A leader

A follower

We have a mixture of feelings

Depending on the day

Depending on what’s going on in the moment

Happy

Sad

Mad

Glad

Miserable

Joyful

Worried

Anxious

Bold

Fearful

Confident

Unsure of ourself

Hopeful

Hopeless

Expectant

Excited

Scared

Trapped

Powerless

Powerful

Stuck

Exuberant

Zoned out

Tuned out

Tired

Energetic

Bored

Sleepy

Proud

Glad

Numb

These feelings don’t define us

They are just our feelings

They exist and “just are”

All depending on what’s going on

We also want to be HEARD

We have opinions

Thoughts

Desires

Wants

Ideas

We want to have a voice

A say about what happens to us

About what we want and desire

We don’t want to be told 

What to do

What to eat

What to wear

Where to go

When to do what

All the time

Although we are kids and we need adults’ help

We still want to be heard

God didn’t give us a mouth just to eat

He gave us a mouth so we can speak

And make our desires known

We want to be UNDERSTOOD

We are unique

We have our likes and dislikes

Even though sometimes we don’t know what we feel like

We have our quirks just like everyone else with theirs

We have our strong points and weak ones

Our feelings change and opinions change

We don’t want others to assume they know us

Without first getting to know us

Truly

Really

Know us

After all we are growing and changing all the time

We want to be ACCEPTED

We are who we are 

even when we don’t always know whom we are

We are ever-changing and growing

Our moods change

Our preferences change

We have our ups and our downs

We might like something at one time

and totally dislike it soon after

We might like our routines

We might like to go with the flow

We might like to be serious

We might like being spontaneous

We might enjoy music

We might enjoy sports

We might enjoy staying still

We might enjoy being active

We might enjoy reading

We might enjoy drawing

We might enjoy studying

We might enjoy tinkling with things

We might enjoy video gaming

We might enjoy playing chess and board games

We might enjoy being with others

We might enjoy being by ourselves

We might enjoy daydreaming

We might enjoy working hard

Whatever it is we might 

Enjoy

Like

Be

We want to be accepted for 

Whom we are

How we are

In whichever emotional state we are

In the moment

In this moment

In every moment

Just

Accept

Us

When we are

SEEN

HEARD

UNDERSTOOD

ACCEPTED

Then we feel

L O V E D

That is what we all want

Regardless of how different we might be

We want

We need

To be 

LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY

Experiencing God

Is God real

I’ve heard all about Him in Sunday School 

At church

From my parents and others

But

Is He

Really real?

Sure

I’ve prayed and sometimes 

the prayers seem to have come through

But how do I know

It’s not just a coincidence?

Yeah and sometimes

I felt something

I felt love

I felt moved

I felt touched

But how do I know It’s not just

A passing fancy

A temporary feeling

Something I made up

Something I imagined

Something I attributed to 

as God moving in my life

How do I really know that

God exists

and He is real?!

What is FAITH?

Is it “blind?”

Do I turn off my brain 

And just “choose” to believe?

If that is the case

Why then did God give me a brain?

Others speak of having 

Their prayers answered

Experienced God

Heard His voice

Felt His love

Received His direction for life

Was provided for

Felt His healing power

Experienced His forgiveness

Felt free

Felt joy

Felt His presence

Felt His touch

How do I know what they’ve experienced

Weren’t just figments of their imagination

How did they experience God?

What do I need to do to also experience God?

How does one really know it is God?

God Sightings

Some speak of seeing God in the day to day

From the beauty of the sunset

To the beautiful sounds of nature

To the majestic mountains

To the running brooks

The crashing waves

The rushing wind

The gentle breeze

The thunder and the lightening

The birds chirping and the bugs buzzing

Some speak of God’s answers of prayer

In the little things

Passing of a test

Remembering a forgotten knowledge

Winning a video game

Beating our opponent in a game

Locating a misplaced object

Being given extra play time

Parents forgetting to mete out our punishment

Not having to do a chore expected of us

Enjoying our family

A long-lost friend reaching out to us

Being forgiven by family or friends

Someone being generous with us

A patient sibling

Getting away with something

Receiving an expected gift

Getting into our desired school

Having a good day

Finding unexpected joy

Peace when panicking

Unexplained calmness

Getting a good deal at a store

Comfort when afraid

Companionship when lonely

God’s presence when feeling down

Whatever we feed will grow

What we neglect will be forgotten and die off

If we want our faith to grow

We need to feed it 

Unless we ask we will not receive

Unless we seek we will not find

Unless we knock no door would be opened to us

One key to experiencing God

To see if He is real

Might have to do with us choosing to

Ask

Seek

Knock

And then we shall see if He

Answers

Gives

Opens doors for us

We then nurture it

Nurture our faith and grow it

By our continual

Asking

Seeking and

Knocking 

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20).