letter to the one(s) who noticed

‘Wedding day arrived!’ a friend’s facebook status this morning. Her daughter is getting married today. A child’s wedding is a most precious and joyous experience. Knowing the story behind her getting to this place (adoptions and a late natural conception) I know there will have been an extra measure of joy at that wedding today.

Our eldest son got married last year and the wedding was conducted by Vic (not his real name.) Vic was a late replacement for the original vicar who had to pull out. He was relaxed about photography during the service (unlike the original vicar who had said a blanket no.) The photographer took a number of photos of Vic during the service in action, both men doing what they loved best. As a thank you the photographer gave Vic and his family a framed photo as a gift. Tangible gratitude in art form became a genuine treasure for Vic’s family when he died just a few months later.

As Jesus entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realised that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough. Luke 17:11-13 (msg)

And the mind can be a deceitful thing, playing tricks and telling you for sure that ‘no-one notices.’ Even when you know it is a lie hijacking and demanding full attention. It becomes a step on a muddy slope and before you know you are sliding uncontrollably towards the bottom, into the pit.

Ignored comments roll away empty, a whoosh of tumbleweed across a room

Sometimes you can’t articulate feelings

Some days you can’t see the amazing, challenging, moving and powerful that others are able to see, just the all consuming black or the dreary grey

At times it is just hard slog

Period

That’s when you really want someone to notice

And then you can just about make out the chink of light that reaches into the pit. Either the friend who is giving you an empowering hand to haul you out or the one who is sitting in there with you until your heart is still and calm again (neither of you noticing muddy asses.)

Whether you are the One or the ones I can’t thank you enough.

This is for all of you xx

Linking up with Ruth & Sabrina at #LettersTo (at Sabrina’s Ruth's place this week)