He Sees You
It was my first year as a teacher and I taught a class of energetic first graders. Among them was a frail little girl with a permanent smile. She was one of the few students that I could not convince to call me by name. To her I was simply, Teacher. This sweet little girl would greet me almost every morning with a hug and a big smile along with the words, “Teacher, I saw you!” Sometimes it was “I saw you getting into your car,” or, “I saw you talking to your sister, I saw you while I was on the bus. ” She lived in my neighborhood where she regularly saw me, but strangely I never saw her. If she had not said to me, “I saw you.” I’d never have known.
I thought about this student recently when I was reassuring someone about God’s presence. There are many times when we feel like He has deserted us, especially during difficult times. Sadly, during those times, His presence seems nonexistence. We wonder if He is aware of our situations or if He hears our prayers. However, as I thought about my sweet little student I wondered if maybe God goes unnoticed in our lives the same way I was unaware of her watching me. She was near me, but I didn’t notice her.
God is always with us. Unfortunately, sometimes we may be so focused on what we are going through or distracted by the different events we encounter in life that we may not realize that God is near during those times. Just know that during the times when it feels like He is farthest away, He is with you. Think of Him like I sometimes think of my student, with a beaming smile and arms stretched open saying, “Not only do I see you, I am with you!”
This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NLT) Emphasis mine
So true, Bernadine. Even though we may not ‘feel’ His presence, He is always with us. Thank you for the reminder that He is with us, and sees us.