How to know we're seen when we feel overlooked
Hi friends!
Have you ever had this kind of week?
The 2nd graders shrugged with boredom at the craft you brought for the class party; dinner was an effort to get on the table, but there were still complaints; everyone seemed distracted when you shared a thought during Relief Society; no friends responded to your text for a lunch meet up; family didn’t react at all to the funny reel you shared in a group chat—no one seemed to notice or appreciated your efforts!
Sometimes our spiritual batteries are low, and at the same time, our best cheerleaders are busy when we need their words of encouragement and smiles the most. This can leave us feeling lonely, underappreciated, and unseen.
But it doesn’t have to. Why? We can change our focus.
Instead of looking for more ways we’re unappreciated, we can flip it around and look for the ways God’s appreciation is always there. The smallest tokens of delight—a child’s laugh, a cherished memory, a favorite scripture—are reminders that He is aware of the details of our lives in every single way, even if no one else seems to see us.
“Your strong faith in Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and your unpretentious, consecrated lives inspire me.” Elder David A. Bednar
Feel Better in 5! How to know you are seen and appreciated!
Give yourself a gold star.
We know our inherent worth as children of God, but it can be easy to forget that worth when we’re tired and need to reconnect spiritually. Give yourself the recognition you need. Pat yourself on the back. Pull out the metaphorical star stickers (or real ones!) and stick one on your forehead. Then start handing them out to everyone else.
Walk with Jesus.
Our Savior invites us “to come unto him and partake of his goodness.” (2 Nephi 26:33) He cares about how we’re feeling and will remind us that we’re not forgotten. Jesus not only helps make our offerings enough for others, He helps us see that we are enough, as we are, for ourselves.
Claim the brilliance of your talents.
“There are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-2) Sometimes we need to tell someone we love and trust that we’re grateful for our talents and proud of how we’re using, growing, and sharing, the God-given gifts we’ve been given.
Remember that God knows your name.
Mindy Brown shared, “The Lord knows each of us personally, by name. Let's follow His example and love each other by name, admire each other by name, thank each other by name, and commend each other by name.”
Look for the love.
Tender mercies are sprinkles of love from heaven that remind us of our worth and that God knows us personally.
Jesus is the best friend who is always there and will show up to remind us of our worth.
When we see His love for our imperfect selves doing our best, it’s easier to share that love with others.