Connection

When I was younger (elementary school aged) I wasn’t very athletic. I wasn’t picked for sports teams first or in some cases at all. I was picked for tug’o’war but that was because you didn’t have to be athletic. I remember how that made me feel. I remember being upset because it often left me feeling not good enough, or left out.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has felt that way. Has there been a time where you felt like you were left out, like you weren’t good enough? What did you do about it? How did you handle it? Did you smile through the pain and act like it didn’t bother you? Or did you get angry, and the. Try to get even.

For me it was easier to smile through the pain, to laugh instead of crying. I have always used humor to mask sadness, to cover all of my insecurities, and to get people to like me. What if you’re not strong enough to just mask the sadness, what if it finds its way through, what if you run out of coping mechanisms?

When all else seems to be crumbling around us we need to look to the one who made us. We need to focus on Jesus and his promises to us. He never said our life would be without pain or trouble, but he did say that he would be there for us regardless. His love is unconditional his grace is unending and his mercy is unimaginable.

When you look out into the world today, at the people hurting at the people longing for a connection, remember how you felt when you were left out. Remember the feeling of not good enough, and grab that person. Be their connection pick them for your team and introduce them to Jesus by showing them unconditional love.

If you’re feeling alone just know I love you.