Of course it wasn’t the first time I had ever felt left out. As someone who suffers from extreme FOMO, I am sensitive to this subject.
It was December of 2011. We had just gone to El Ranchito (probably for the third time that week) and now it was time to look at Christmas lights. What a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit! What quality family time!
We made a stop at a gas station so that I could use the restroom. And as I came out of the gas station, my family was gone.
I started thinking about how fun my family was to play jokes like this on me.
Then, I called Mom to let her know that I think they’re funny but that it’s time to pick me up.
“Hey, Mom!” “Hey, Lu! What’s up?” “Mom. . .” “What?” “Y’ALL LEFT ME AT THE GAS STATION AND NO ONE EVEN NOTICED.”
I can hold this over the heads of everyone in my family whenever I want to stop at Sonic (however, I make sure not to exit the vehicle because my absence may go unnoticed).
When I reflect on this story, it reminds me of a way the enemy tries to distract us from God’s call by telling us that we are alone. That we are left out.
Peter addresses this in 2 Peter 1:9-10 and reminds us who we are.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
You are chosen, you are royal, you are holy, and you are special. You are one of the people of God. And you may declare the praises of Him who has rescued you from your sin. Despite your doubts, your conflictions, or your low self-esteem, you are good enough to do what God is calling you to do. He will never leave you, never forsake you. His love never fails.
I pray that today, you would be reminded of Peter’s encouraging words and remember who you are and why you are here. God’s plans for our lives are bigger than our fears and better than our wildest dreams. And He will never leave us at a gas station.
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