Going Unnoticed

How many people do you think you see in a given day? When you are at work, or running errands, or at an event in your town; how do you feel? When you walk through the aisles at a grocery store or search for a seat at church, do you notice anything in particular? I feel that most of us go unnoticed as we go about our day, not taking account of the people that we meet and the stories that may lie underneath. 

As a parent of a 18-month old, I can't even try to predict how my son's life will turn out. I don't know right now what his passions, his gifts, or his heart will be like. Toddlers are unpredictable, and some days you just have to get through it. 

I feel like I can relate a lot to the Census we just read in Luke 2. Every family reporting to their different home towns must have been hectic! Kind of like a high school reunion, you don't know what to expect. Depending on your class size, the town could fill up faster than you know it! 

Here's where I'm going with this: Think about your family. Think about where your wife, husband, and kids go in their day-to-day lives. Are there areas of their lives where they go unnoticed? Maybe your spouse is on the bottom of the totem pole at work, or your kids are headed to a new school where they could go a whole day without someone noticing them. What's missing?

Remembering Your Light:

⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 

For better or for worse, we all will go unnoticed at some time in our lives. For a brief moment, even Jesus, went unnoticed. He was born in a manger out back near the Inn. No parade, no large crowds, just the Savior of the world crying in a manger. 

Now we all know how the story unfolds. Jesus performed miracles, fed the hungry, and NOTICED thousands that just needed to be encouraged to realize the light inside them has a place to shine. The One who was unnoticed, purposed himself into the great Noticer. And what a gift that was to those that He encountered!

Activity time!

Now let's bring this all together. Here's what I want you to do: Gather your family in one room (or on zoom if they are at college), dim the lights and light a candle. 

Ask everyone to think about what they have noticed about each member of the family and the light that they can provide. When you all have your thoughts gathered, give the candle to one family member and speak life into them. Notice their talents, their heart for others, and their abilities that set them apart. Repeat this step for however many family members you have gathered. 

What a blessing it is to speak life into those we love most. You may not even recognize that you have a particular gift until your spouse or child tells you about it! 

It's okay to not be the center of attention, but we all have light to share no matter who we are.

The Lord made us each special and unique. Let us take the time to notice what He has given us, both in ourselves and in those around us. Like Jesus, let's remember that the small and humble act of noticing may be the most important gift we can offer this holiday season, and beyond.

-Aidan, Joyfully Said Marketing Assistant