“What was that?”
Some of the residents here at the 55+ condo association where we live had a hard time hearing me before masks. But now it’s even worse. I know they didn’t hear me when they change the subject or answer way off base.
Then last week I went for my first Covid vaccine. Same problem of not being heard. At the registration, I had to lean in so she could hear me answer her questions.
After the shot, I had to sit among some spaced chairs for at least 15 minutes in case of reactions. As I sat there, I looked around at the eyes above the masks. Some eyes appeared sad or defeated. Have they ever shared their story or their feelings? Were they heard? Really heard? Heard in a way that they felt believed, understood, and supported? Or did they try to tell someone only to feel rejected because of insensitive remarks, changed subjects, or turned backs? Were their burdens belittled and made heavier with Christian platitudes or judgmental opinions?
Whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional pain, everyone has a need to be heard. Really heard, not just on the surface, but at a deeper level of caring about what they’re going through. A lament for their pain. A coming alongside them with empathy, compassion, and respect.
Do you sometimes not feel heard, supported, and valued?
Do you feel alone in your pain?
Do you wonder if God hears your cries?
Jesus always hears us in the deepest way. He already knows the story behind our eyes and is always ready to give us His full, undivided attention. He reaches out with compassion for the hurting. If we’re overwhelmed by pain and sinking in the storms of life, He reaches down and pulls us up and revives us with His life-giving breath. Again and again. His hand is always extended towards us and He never tires of rescuing us.
Jesus invites us to keep pouring out our hearts to Him, even though answers seem slow in coming. He listens with love, not judgment. Jesus is a Faithful Friend who ALWAYS hears us with unbounded love, compassion, empathy, and understanding. He loves us so much that He laid down His life for us. He cares so deeply about our stories that He hurts when we hurt. When others abandon us, He never, ever will. When others don’t believe us or heap guilt upon us, He knows the truth of our stories and will never condemn us.
"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all— how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life— is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Romans 8:32-34 "Because of Your great compassion You did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take." Nehemiah 9:19 "And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
“He counts the stars one and all
He knows how much sand is on the shores
He sees every sparrow that falls
He made the mountains and the seas
He’s in control of everything
Of all creatures great and small
And He knows my name
Every step that I take
Every move that I make
Every tear that I cry
He knows my name…”
Freed to Fly 
Jesus will never fail us, Trudy, and He knows each of our stories by heart. We can always count on Him to reach out to us in times of trouble and rejoice with us when times are good. So grateful for His unfailing love!
Blessings, and glad to hear you got your first shot!
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I’m grateful for His unfailing love, too, Martha. So free and unconditional. His arms are always welcoming us to run to Him and pour out our hearts to Him, even though He already knows. He’s so patient with us, even when we fret. Blessings to you, too! May God give us grace to trust His plan and His timing!
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Love this Trudy! Thank you!
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Thank you, Susie. I hope it encouraged your heart. It’s such a comfort to know Jesus hears us always and knows the deepest hurts of our hearts, isn’t it? May He give us grace to deeply know and trust His love and compassion!
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Amen! Yes, being really heard is so important Trudy. Great post!
Blessings,
Jennifer
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Thank you, Jennifer. Being heard is so important. Blessings to you, too! May we become more like Jesus!
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Dear Trudy, what a beautiful song, it brought tears to my eyes,
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Me, too! ❤️ When I found it, I actually thought of you and knew it would minister to you, Bettie.
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Sorry, I hit “send” too soon! It must be so difficult to have a hard time making your voice heard. There are days when my voice becomes weak also, so I have a little understanding. But your deep compassion for those around you must bring such a blessing of the Lord’s love there! I am so grateful that He knows us so well! Its such a comfort now, in this place in my life too. Thank you Dear friend for your encouragement and blessing Here! Love & hugs!
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Thank you for your kind understanding, Bettie, and your kind words. I long to be more like Jesus and see others through His eyes. I’m so glad you found needed encouragement here. Yes, I’m so grateful, too, that He knows us so well. Love and hugs to you, too! May God give us grace to look to Him and His faithfulness and not to all the troubles! He will get us through!
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Dear Trudy, I served urban students and families for over 15 years. In a society where their lives (&deaths) are frequently overlooked, ignored, or downplayed, it was no wonder that storytelling was usually part of every conversation…they needed to be heard. In a way, isn’t that the big draw of social media, a place where we can be “heard”? Thank you for reminding us how important it is to listen with our whole hearts, and to be heard.
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Oh, that’s so sad, Alice. I’m so glad you were there to hear them. May God give us grace to listen with our whole hearts and to be ever so grateful He will always hear us!
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It’s staggering to imagine God counting the stars and even naming them (Psalm 147:4). Especially when we consider that astronomers estimate there are 100 thousand million stars–in the Milky Way alone! And yet he cares about each one of us, our stories, our celebrations and sorrows. I’m shaking my head here in fresh wonder for the magnificent God we’re privileged to call Abba! Thank you, Trudy, for this uplifting reminder!
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Yes, it truly is staggering that He even names every single star! And so amazing that our magnificent God cares about each of our stories so much and knows each one in detail! Thank you for pointing out about the stars, Nancy. May it never cease to amaze us how great our Abba is and how much He cares about each one of us!
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Trudy, “He Knows My Name” is a song that really ministered to me when we were waiting to adopt Lilly. Just seeing the title brings me back to that season and makes me grateful for all that God has done in our family, including watching over our sweet girls before they came home to us. What a comfort to remember that He knows and understands everything about us, even when it seems like nobody else does. Thank you for sharing your heart of compassion, my friend. Love and hugs to you!
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Thank you for sharing that, Lois. He surely did bless you with Lilly and Molly! Yes, it truly is a comfort that “He knows and understands everything about us, even when it seems nobody else does.” Love and hugs to you, too! May our hearts cling to our God and His faithful character no matter what happens!
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Just yesterday a writer in my writers group shared a story on the importance of allowing others to finish their stories. A lot of times our stories can be interrupted especially when our voices are quieter in projecting than anothers. No story is less important than another even if our voices are just whispers. May I remember to not talk over someone whose voice is hard to hear! And be more like Jesus who hears everything! Powerful message you have here! Thank you.
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Thank you so much for sharing that, Lynn. That’s so true. So many stories get interrupted. Amen to “May I remember to not talk over someone whose voice is hard to hear! And be more like Jesus who hears everything!” Dear Jesus, please give us grace to be more like YOU!
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He knows my name.
Bliss. Blessing. Peace. Joy. Comfort.
What a wonderful Savior we love and serve!
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Oh yes, so true, Linda. We could not get through even one moment without our wonderful Savior. May we cling to Him and His faithful love!
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He always hears us! What a beautiful comfort that is… thanks so much for sharing! Stopping by from #tellhisstory 🤗
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Yes, it is such a comfort to know He always hears us. Thank you again for your book – Orphan Beach! I was so tickled I won! I’m eager to begin it, but I have to first finish books from the library that have more holds on it. Blessings in your writing, Laura! May our hearts keep tuned to our Savior who always hears us!
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Trudy, another beautiful post. I sometimes have trouble being heard too, especially now that masks are a natural part of most communication. I am so thankful that Jesus hears even my quietest whispers and that He always sees us. There is such great comfort in that truth. Thanks for these reminders, sweet friend. Sending you hugs and blessings.
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Yes, such comfort that He hears and sees us, Jeanne. Every single detail. And He knows those deepest yet unmet longings in our hearts. Hugs and blessings to you, too! May God give us grace to lean into Him and trust His plan and timing!
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Oh, how important it is for each us to be heard. And understood. That’s what I always tell my husband–he doesn’t have to agree with me, but I do like for him to understand what I’m saying. I’m so grateful that our Lord does hear and understand us even better than we do ourselves. And I’m so glad you were able to get the vaccine. I go this Monday for my first shot! I’m beyond ready.
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So true, Lisa, that others don’t have to agree with us, but it’s so important for each of us to be heard. Yes! Our Lord hears and understands us even better than we do ourselves! I hope your vaccine goes well. I have my second one this Tuesday. May we surrender our hearts and lives into the hands of our Lord who knows what’s best for us!
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It is reassuring to know that God hears us and that he always listens and understands even when others don’t. There have certainly been times in my life when I felt there was no-one else I could talk to, but knowing I could talk to God made such a difference. I’m glad you got the vaccine too. Love and hugs!
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Yes, knowing we can always talk to God surely makes a difference, Lesley. I’ve had those times, too, when He was the only one I could talk to. We couldn’t have made it without Him, right? Love and hugs to you, too! May we always remember He is a Friend who knows and understands us and cares so deeply!
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