I Didn’t Know That I Was Special

You are loved.

You are seen.

You are special.

These are some of the phrases that I love sharing with people, because it’s important that everyone knows this. Regardless of how seemingly put together or how drastically cruel a person is, they need to know (and hear) these truths about themselves. 

Last night I sat around a campfire with 5 young women. As we prepare to launch them to Uganda, Thailand, and India on a 6 month Kingdom Journey, I listened as they shared pieces of their stories, ultimately leading to how they came to know the Lord and what brought them to this point.

It was beautiful. 

I love hearing the stories of individuals. the diversity. the similarities. the turning points. the key people involved. I love hearing it all! It helps me to see and understand more deeply who this unique creation is, allowing me to love them as Jesus does.

One of the recurring themes that I hear in stories – especially the stories of people who come through Adventures – is that there was someone who saw them. Someone who steered them back on track when they were making decisions that would lead them down a rocky path. Someone who told them that they were special.

If you knew me growing up, it’s likely you’d think that I didn’t really need to be told that I was special. To be completely honest, I probably did a great job at letting you know how little I needed from you, from anyone for that matter. 

I was the captain of my cheer leading team in middle school and captain of the high school dance team. I was on homecoming court, prom court, and – for the Louisianians who can appreciate this – Mardi Gras court. I made straight A’s all throughout grade school, graduated #1 in my class, and received a full paid college scholarship. I became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and I was, for all intents and purposes, a teacher’s pet. I never got in trouble, always did as I was told, and excelled at just about everything I touched. I got offered a full-time job making almost $60k a year when I was still a Junior in college. 

No. I didn’t need to be told that I was special; however, I wasn’t aware of how much I desired to know it. I let my work speak for me and my “success” told me everything that I thought I needed to know. 

Of all the things that my accomplishments said, they could never tell me that I was loved and that I was seen. They never mentioned that I could spend forever adding objects to my trophy case, yet still live a meaningless and unfulfilled life. They could never bring me happiness and pure joy. My achievements could say a lot about me, but they could never tell me that I was special.

Listening to the stories of those 5 amazing young women and reflecting on my life, I wish that I knew then what I know now. (Don’t we all, though). I wish I knew that I was special, even if I failed at everything that I attempted to do. I wish I knew that I was loved, even if no one ever voted for me. I wish I knew that I was seen, even if my lifelong crush didn’t know that I existed.

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re doing in life, God wants us all to know His love for us. We desperately need to hear that we are seen, desired, longed for, and worthy of the pursuit of a King in Heaven. Now that I know, I take every opportunity I get to share it with others.

When I share, I don’t merely tell them that I love them, or that I see them, or that they could be anything that they set their mind to. Because it doesn’t really matter what I think or say. Instead, I love them and see them and pursue them and know them. 

I am simply a messenger. The message that I have to share is the love of Christ, and the fact remains:

YOU ARE LOVED!

YOU ARE SEEN!

YOU ARE SPECIAL!

If you’ve never had anyone tell you that – just that – no qualifiers, stipulations, or contingencies; if you’ve never had anyone let you know that you are loved simply because … then allow me to be the person to tell you. Because some day the popularity and accolades won’t be as satisfying; some day you’ll grow weary of being reminded of the ways you’ve failed; some day you’ll wonder if any one cares about you at all; when that day comes, I want you to know that you are still special.

If you have been told and have fully grasped this wonderful truth, please don’t let it stop there. Don’t assume that others also know this just because they appear to be doing well. Similarly, don’t withhold it from someone because you believe their actions aren’t worthy of the privilege of knowing. I challenge you to live your life in a way that constantly lets those around you in on the (too well kept) secret that they are loved, they are seen, and they are special.