Monday, May 16, 2011

The One who Sees me

If you stumble across this post, my prayer is that you will be encouraged--that you don't just come to realize but to know you are not alone.

I've gone from a high mountain to where it I felt the Enemy couldn't touch me, to being pulled into a low, low, valley. I've always prided myself on the fact that I don't get in that valley very often, and if I do, I'm definitely not there long enough to make it home. My home has always been on that mountain, that glorious glorious mountain that I inhabit with my Father. But recently issues within my family have started to get to me. It seems as if everyone in my family is going through something different. My sister is going through a time of "finding herself"; my brother is...well...my brother who just wants to do whatever he wants; my dad is lost and drifting in the ocean of life; and my mom just seems to permanently reside in a dark cloud of silence and sadness. Lately the only time her face lights up is when my sister is home or (recently) my dad. When they're here, I feel as if I disappear. Don't get me wrong, I love that they're here (for the most part) and I get to spend time with them. What hurts is I don't bring that smile to my mom's face, I don't light up her face like they do. I've felt alone. I cried out to God and at times I felt even He has forsaken me.

Then, I went to the Women of Joy conference. One of my favorite authors, Liz Curtis Higgs spoke and what she had to say really stuck. What I didn't know then, that I do now, is how much I would need her words. She spoke on Sarah and Abraham, but her focus was on Hagar. In this story, it seems Hagar is used and then tossed aside--but not forgotten. God visited her in the desert beside a river and spoke with her. Hagar was so touched that SOMEONE saw her, that she named Him "You are the God who sees me". It is one thing to know that God knows you and loves you. It is an entirely different thing to be suddenly aware of God's presence and personal care for you. Sarah and Abraham just referred to her in scripture as "the servant girl" and never called her by name, but God did in the desert. He knew her name; He saw her.

God brought this back to me during the past couple of weeks. He reminded me that He sees me even when I feel no one else does. It's been such a Joy and Comfort to me to know, He has His eyes on me. I haven't faded so much that I've disappeared!

And as if that wasn't enough, He reminded me on Sunday through the sermon how much He values me. My pastor spoke on Matthew 13:45-46.

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!"

I am this pearl that God found and couldn't be without. He gave up everything in order to have me. He gave His Son so I could be His.

And there's no where else I'd rather be then with Him, always.
I am a pearl. And I am HIS--and He is MINE.

So for those of you out there reading this post; this is for you.
You are valued. You are seen. You are loved. You are not forgotten. There is One who sees you, who treasures you, and who will never leave you. You are more precious to Him than you know, and my prayer is you allow Him to show you how much He adores you.

He loves you beloved.

Until next time, I hold ya'll in my heart <.)))><
Karye

3 comments:

karye said...

I forgot to mention in my excitement that Hagar is the only person in the whole Bible to give God a name. That's how much He effected her. That's how much she needed Him to see her. Just a cool fact that I absolutely love. :)

Erin said...

I love you, Karye Berry! And I love this, too! Reminds me of that lovely conference we went to together. I'm sorry that things aren't going great with your family, but I believe things will pick up soon. I'm praying for you and yours, my friend! :) Love ya lots! :)

Holly Face said...

Karye:
First off: Let me just say kudos for using one of my favorite passages correctly (Pearl of great price) Most people miss that the Kingdom of Heaven is like the merchant, and assume that it is the pearl for some reason, but I love that story because it shows that God thinks that WE were worth shedding everything he is just to redeem us. I can't get over how awesome that is!

Second: I love you so freaking much. I'm sorry about the other day if I was being pushy or needy. I just felt like it had been a long time since I had spent some quality time with you (although Starbucks and abandoned parking lot were awesome, it was only a few hours). And I miss my girl time more than I can say. We both have a lot going on in our lives and I want to be there for you because I love you more than my own life.

Third: I like the Hagar thing, especially your comment that she is the only one who gives God a name. He never abandons us, even at our most helpless, distraught moments. He truly sees us as we are, and loves us from there.

Forth: Ok, I don't have a fourth, I just wanted to keep talking :)

Love you!