...so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time; not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28
Waiting for someone can sometimes be difficult. Will he remember me when he finds me?
For someone who seems to command such a great deal of attention, or so I have been told, I so easily feel forgotten. My whole life, I have lived in fear of being forgotten - of disappearing - of living a life no one would remember. At my very core, I am afraid of being inconsequential, of being unimportant, of having no impact on those around me.
Three years ago, I met a little boy who brightened my soul at a time I needed it most. I met him a month after the darkest valley of my life. He was only two, but he made me feel quite significant. He attached himself to me. He looked for me - asked where I was whenever we were apart.
I will never forget the power of his words upon finding me one afternoon. "There you are! I've found you!" Those simple words were a gift to a man who felt completely lost and forgotten.
Well, this weekend I had the opportunity to see this young boy once again. To expect a five-year old to remember you from three years ago is unreasonable, so I wasn't disappointed when he didn't proclaim, "Hey! I remember you."
But this morning, I recalled: he didn't know me by my name. His uncle and I share the same name, so I had a nickname. I ran into him as he went with his father and brother to breakfast. When I asked if he remembered Timbo, his eyes brightened a little; he turned to his brother and quietly said, "He's the guy who plays the flute."
He remembers me!
Lord, I am waiting for the day of Your return. I am waiting to hear Your voice proclaim, "There you are! I've found you!" Thank You for helping me see that I will never be forgotten - that I am not inconsequential. Help me to live a life of great impact. May others find You because of the Light that shines in me.