NEVER FORGOTTEN

There are times in life when we feel as if God has forgotten us.  Sometimes long periods of suffering are endured when we question "Why?".  I think of those with chronic illnesses, those who have lost loved one after loved one, those who have hit rock bottom in every way imaginable-physically, fiscally, emotionally.  Most of us have endured times when we felt completely alone in our suffering.  How could anyone possibly understand what we are going through?

 I have seen in my own life how God has used periods of suffering and times of wandering in my spiritual wilderness.  God has a purpose for every occurrence in our lives.  The things which seem to have no reason are bricks along our path to sanctification.  There is no waste in God's economy.  All things can be used for our good and to bring about His purpose.

I read this morning about Joseph when he was wrongfully thrown in prison.  Surely he must have felt forgotten by God?  Surely he questioned the why's of his path since that day his brothers plotted getting rid of him.  After explaining the dreams to two of Pharaoh's top men, he asked the cup bearer to be his advocate to Pharaoh.  Things were good again, but the cup bearer forgot about Joseph in his regained favor and did not plead his case.  What must Joseph have thought.  "Is this ever going to be redeemed?  Am I going to die in this prison?"  The cup bearer may have forgotten Joseph, but God had not.  There was more to come in God's plan for Joseph.  Plans to prosper him and not allow harm to him, plans to give him a hope and a future.

We all know how the story turns out and the favor Joseph found in Pharaoh's eyes.  He was eventually elevated to the number two position in Egypt.  Then God used him to save his people from starvation.  Never in a thousand years could Joseph have known how mightily God would use him.  He must have questioned along the path.  BUT he never lost faith in the Great God of the Universe.  He believed all was for a purpose.

We cannot see the big picture.  We do not know what the future holds.  We do know we will suffer during periods of our lives.  God will use that suffering for our good and His good purpose.  Trust Him, Friends, Trust Him.

"Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph,

but forgot him.

Genesis 40:23

ALL ALONE AM I

Today's word is one which a sweet friend, who had submitted previously, sent.  I must say many of us have felt the hallow echo of

What stands out in the above photo is seeing not only the word, but its reflection in the water.  I was reminded when we feel forgotten, we see the reflection of the forgotten when we gaze into the mirror.  Just as the reflection above is distorted, so can the reflections we see in a mirror be distorted.

As I continued to think of looking into the mirror and seeing the forgotten reflected, it dawned upon me how we often also see distorted images, depending upon the mirror we are using.  A broken mirror will reflect a broken image of who we are.  A mirror with imperfections will reflect an untrue image of who we are.  We have all seen the warning on the side mirror of our cars

This is a poignant reminder the reflections we see in a  mirror may not be true.  What we behold when we gaze into a mirror may not be how the world perceives us.  When we gaze too closely, the imperfections are alarmingly pronounced and the true reflection becomes a distortion of the real image.  While we may experience the sadness of feeling we are forgotten, that is not always the case.

Loneliness is a state most of us experience at some time in our lives and feeling forgotten parallels with being lonely.  Look around you and understand there are legions who feel lonely and forgotten in this fast paced world.   So many of our older friends and family feel forgotten and unseen in today's tumultuous world.  For many  loneliness is increased with age.  As our activity decreases, our contact with others also diminishes.  Many are left isolated due to infirmities, lack of resources, diminishing energy, and other conditions brought on by aging.  Today's pandemic has done us no favors in keeping the shadows of forgotten from being present.   Loneliness is a pandemic which affects a wide range of the population, but is especially rampant in our senior citizens.  

When my neighbor sent the word, we discussed some remedies to help combat the overwhelming feeling of being forgotten.  Something as simple as a walk, a telephone call, a short drive, or any activity where others are present.  Those who experience the heart heaviness of feeling forgotten are all around us.  My simplistic answer to being forgotten---be certain you are being seen.  Take ownership--make those calls, attend community programs, go to church, volunteer, walk around the block.  Rather than being disappointed in those we perceive to have forgotten us, take the initiative to make changes that alter the circumstances which precipitated your isolation.  

Finally--do no forget---you are NEVER forgotten or alone as long as you look to God.  He is faithfully present.  Turn around -seek Him-  know His love and omnipresence.

"Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,

for the Lord your God goes with you;

He sill never leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6