"Do I Matter to You?"

Gimli is trying to oust Virginia from
 the spot closest to Paul

Gimli loves to hang out in his crate, and will often just sit in there while the rest of us are hanging out in the living room. He is totally content nestled in his dark crate, curled up in the warm blankets- that is until he suspects that Virginia is getting attention from us. I don't know how he knows, but somehow he can sense when Virginia is getting a tummy rub or is snuggling up to us. Though he was previously content in his dark, soft crate, when attention is being dolled out, he has to be on the receiving end. He will push Virginia out of the way, step on her, whatever he needs to do to steal all the attention for himself.

Though I've learned how to control my behavior to not actually push people out of my way, I can often still have this very same attitude about others' successes.  Do I rejoice with my friends when they receive a blessing even if I haven't? Even if I've been praying for that same blessing and have yet to receive it? Even if I know I will never receive that very same blessing? More often, when others receive a blessing I want, I turn in bitterness and anger to God, asking, "Why did you give that to her? Why not me?! It's not FAIR God!!"  The truth behind this reaction is not so much about the other person's blessing, but about my apparent lack of blessing. My heart is crying out to God asking, "Do you see me? Do you hear my cries? Do I matter to You?"

The truth is that God does hear us, and He cares more than we can imagine. So often it doesn't feel like that, but that is the truth, no matter what the circumstance may be. He may not answer the way we would like, but whatever He chooses is always the best. When we believe God is for us, that He loves us and is at work in our lives, we can more easily rejoice with our friends when they experience times of blessing, even in our times of waiting and longing. We will all experience seasons of blessing and seasons of painful longing. Whichever season we are in, we need our brothers and sisters in Christ to come alongside us and go through it together. I am praying that I would be a catalyst for worship to those God has placed in my life, and that He would provide those relationships for me as well, so we can all worship God together in every season of life.

Lamentations 3:55-58: But I called on your name, Lord, from deep within the pit. You heard me when I cried, “Listen to my pleading! Hear my cry for help! Yes, you came when I called; you told me, “Do not fear.” Lord, you are my lawyer! Plead my case! For you have redeemed my life.