Seen

/Articulate/ verb: to explain; to put into words; to make something specific.

‘Articulate’ is such an elegant word but without being too pompous. Its fancy enough that it’s not used in everyday sentences and yet it’s simple enough to be understood. 

Basically, there are sometimes you can’t seem to put your thoughts into the proper words that you believe need to be said. You’re unable to ‘articulate’, there’s something there but communicating it feels so difficult.

Unfinished conversations, sentences left halfway, frustrated in-betweens, words sitting on your chest. These are probably some phrases that you can use to describe this feeling. I experience this as well. It just feels like I can never seem to find the right words. So many things I want to say but I don’t even know what the words are.

I know I’m feeling something, thinking something, desiring something but I can’t seem to put any words to it. With God, I sit in prayer, thankfully knowing that the Holy Spirit can interpret every thought and emotion. He understands the words I can’t even seem to find.

This is enough for me; this is one of my favourite things about the Christian faith. It’s how I know God sees me and so I never have to struggle or pretend. When I sin, I repent because there’s no need hiding from the one that sees even the end from the beginning. When I can’t find the words, I pray for the Holy Spirit to intercede on my behalf. I love how I know God sees me, it makes everything easier because He knows all of me and He still chooses me.

With humans, it can get a little trickier. This is because we always want to put our best foot forward, we want them to see the best in us and this is good. Treating people how we want to be treated is cardinal in Christianity and in life. But, what of the words you can’t seem to find. When you know you want to say something even though you may not know what it is yet.

Is your solution silence, to wait until you can seem to find the right words? I think things can go unspoken for so long that your brain forgets but not your heart. So, maybe you just speak anyways. Those jumbled-up words that make no logical sense, you say them anyways. With kindness, with a clear mind and conscience, you say it as far as you understand it and hope the other person can see you too.

So many words left unsaid, so many people feeling invisible. My message today? You are seen.  You are seen by the One whose gaze matters the most, the One whose love is unconditional and complete and not depending on anything else. Loving you no matter the “you” you are at this moment. The One who remains more than enough and whose love always makes you feel seen.

I hope you are able to get those words out today sitting in prayer or with your loved ones. I hope you always feel and know that you are seen.