By Alison Feinauer
I met with a friend yesterday, and all of the things she said felt like judgement and rejection over and over. It wasn’t what she said; it was how she said it. I felt criticized and cut down. Every single time I’m around her, I get this sense that I’ll never measure up, that she’ll never really let me in.
I came home and was sharing this with my husband. He asked me, “Why are you letting this get to you? Why do you care so much what she says?”
I couldn’t put my finger on it. Then it occurred to me that I haven’t spend much time with My Maker. Have you ever read the book by Max Lucado called “You Are Special?”
In summary, the book is about a little wooden boy named Punchinello. He lived in a village where you got stickers (dots and stars) put on you (labels really). The dots were for “bad” things (ugly, poor, fat) and the stars were for “good” things (beauty, fame, big house). He only got dots. But he had a friend who didn’t have any stickers stuck on her. He wondered why she didn’t. She went to see Eli, the woodcarver, everyday. So he went to see Eli. Eli knew his name because he made him and was glad he came. Eli said he’d been waiting for him. Punchinello asked how to become like Lucia, his friend, and not have any stickers. Eli said, because she knows the only thing that matters is what I think of her and the stickers can’t stick. Punchinello asked, “how do I get that way?” Eli said, “come see me everyday.” He said, “ok, I will.” As Punchinello was leaving, a sticker fell off.
In short, the more time we spend with our Creator, the less we will have the labels stick that others (or the enemy) put on us. Soon, our Creator’s love will be all that matters. We are made with a desire to feel known, loved, and that we belong. Too often I go to the wrong things to fill that desire. It could be food, social media, a friend, or even a spouse. We can only truly get our needs met in one place, with our Maker.
Not sure if you’ve heard this song called “He Knows My Name” by Tommy Walker, but I love the lyrics…
I have a Maker, He formed my heart
Before even time began, My life was in his hands
He knows my name, He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls, And He hears me when I call
I have a Father, He calls me His own
He’ll never leave me, No matter where I go
He knows my name, He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls, And He hears me when I call
These are the words that I need to hear over and over. This will remind me that I am enough with Him and that someone else’s opinions of me doesn’t matter compared to the way I’m known and loved by my Creator.
Have you felt alone lately, or unknown? Where everything feels like rejection and hurt? Fawning for someone’s acceptance or affection? Listen to this. Quiet your heart. Make some space, and sit with our Maker to remind you Whose you are.
Father, Maker, Creator. Remind me who I am. Remind me of Your love for me. Help me to be able to receive and believe more of your love for me. I know that You could never love me more or less, but my ability to receive that love grows the more I spend time with You. Help me to prioritize my time with You – I’m longing for it. I know that You are the source of my life. I love and trust you. Amen
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).
