Welcome to the FINAL blog post of 2022! I cannot believe we are at the end of the year already! November is the month that we usually observe to give thanks, but that is something that should be practiced daily. Each day is full of so much uncertainty, but we always have something to be grateful for. Life is so precious, and we should cherish each and every moment. I recently started writing in a gratitude journal and realized that I can find joy in the smallest things! The beauty of God is in the large, small, happy, and sad moments in our lives. Let’s talk.

So, I have always been a church girl. When the idea for this blog came about, I began to remember that I learned different names of God at a very young age. I learned Jireh our provider. Rapha our healer, and Shalom our peace amongst many others. There was one that I don’t remember learning until a few years ago and that is El Roi, the God who sees me. Why was this important to me? Glad you asked. I lived most of my life feeling invisible. I would often feel overlooked by God in many instances. I went from knowing Him as my father to feeling disappointed and uncertain about the love He had for me. Have you ever felt that way? It’s ok to be honest, don’t leave me out here by myself! If this wouldn’t have been an issue, we wouldn’t need to know Him by that name!

We live in a world of comparison, striving, and wanting things in a hurry. This makes it hard to grasp when we don’t receive the things we have prayed for, if we are not rewarded in areas we feel we have worked hard, or if we simply don’t get our way. When we are faced with these realities, we can begin to feel that God is ignoring us or that we are not seen. First, He gave us the assurance of being known by El Roi to let us know that we are seen. There are also many scriptures that can assure us that we are seen, cared for, and loved. He is so strategic and invested in our well-being! In our humanity, He knew we would have the capacity to have moments of feeling lost and abandoned.

This can happen in stages of our life. I felt this when I was younger and rejected repeatedly by all my crushes. It didn’t help that ALL my friends had a boyfriend! The feeling was there when I was a professional bridesmaid. I was happy for them, but longing for my turn. I felt the feeling when I was laid off for 7 months. After a while, it seemed like my job was going to interviews. Even though this year has been great so far, I have felt that way spiritually. I have been listening to sermons, praying, and all the things but I have been feeling disconnected; as if I am just doing it because of routine. Partly because I lost sight of who He really is in all circumstances, partly because I wanted to go in a different direction from what I knew was right, and somewhat because of feeling lost and confused about things happening around me. In all of those circumstances, HE SEES ME. He saw me in rejection and led me to a place of healing and acceptance. He saw me in the layoff and gave me a purpose (this blog) in that layoff season. I gained an amazing connection in that space, and I never lacked anything! He sees me now. Even in the confusion, He sent me a word to let me know He sees me and my ultimate desire to just please Him.

As I endeavor to set my eyes on Him, I have a few scriptures to share in case you need the reminder as well. John 4:8a NLT says, “Come close to God, and He will come close to you.” That’s taking the first step. We have to bring those feelings to Him, tell Him which aspect of Him you need in that moment. Psalm 33:18 GNT says “The Lord watches over those who obey him,
    those who trust in his constant love.” He watches over us with care, the conditions are to obey Him and trust that no matter what is happening around us He loves us with a consistent love! Isaiah 41:10 GNT says, “Do not be afraid—I am with you!
    I am your God—let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.” This is reminding us of His presence. He is our defender and helper at all times. Romans 8:28 GNT says, “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.” This reminds us of His strategic nature. Nothing is wasted in Him and even those things that seem useless to us can be used to glorify Him.

Psalm 139:1-18 GNT says, “Lord, you have examined me, and you know me. You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts. You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions. Even before I speak, you already know what I will say. You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power. Your knowledge of me is too deep; it is beyond my understanding. Where could I go to escape from you? Where could I get away from your presence? If I went up to heaven, you would be there. If I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there. If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the farthest place in the west, you would be there to lead me; you would be there to help me. I could ask the darkness to hide me or the light around me to turn into night, but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you. You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart. When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother’s womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there—you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began. O God, how difficult I find your thoughts, how many of them there are! If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.”

If you cannot understand the fact that He sees you after reading that scripture! Part of seeing is also knowing us–true intimacy that cannot be obtained from anyone else. He created us, so He knows each and every one of us. Pretty amazing, right! As this year comes to a close, I pray that you would either use these scriptures or seek your own to stand on. I encourage you to check out all of the names of God and incorporate them into your prayer time. He sees us, He hears us, He knows us, and He loves us!

Father, we give thanks for you. You are all knowing, all sufficient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. You have the power and ability to be all things, to all people, at all times. Help us to take our rightful place as your sons and daughters as we seek our father. Help us to understand that you are El Roi, the God who sees us. You see our struggles, triumphs, disappointments, joys, and flaws. As we draw closer to you, show us your strategy, give us your wisdom, help us to be encouraged, and lead us to a place of deep and meaningful connection with you. Not only do we want to acknowledge that you see us, but we also want to see and know you in a greater way as well. We are in awe of your constant love towards us. Help us to hide your word in our hearts so that we can stand firm in your assurance that we are always seen by you. As stated in 1 Corinthians 15:58, we will be strong and immovable. Always working enthusiastically for the Lord, for we know that nothing we do for the Lord is ever useless. We are grateful, we love you, and we adore you. Amen.

Thank you all for your amazing support this year! I appreciate you all! Have a wonderful and safe Holiday Season and an Amazing New Year!!