{My guest today is my dear friend Carmen Horne, author of Out of Words: 31 Prayers of Hope for Your Hurting Heart. Carmen and I met years ago, in an online writer’s group. We have shared our writing journeys and encouraged each other along the way. What I love about Carmen is her compassion and her desire to minister to women, by guiding them to see life through a new lens. Sometimes a small change in perspective is all you need to see things in a different and better way.  A way filled with hope!}

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There is a scene in my favorite movie, Hope Floats, where we find Travis and Justin Mattise sitting on the porch after the funeral of Travis’ grandmother. Travis’ mom abandoned him early, and he just buried his beloved grandma. He is pondering where he will fit in this new normal with his Aunt Birdee and cousin Bernice. 

As Travis holds a telegram from his mom, pain and uncertainty are written all over his face. Bernice has Aunt Birdee. Who will he have? Alone and feeling invisible, Travis asks Justin, “Aren’t you going inside to say hi?” and Justin answers, “Don’t you know? I came over to say hi to you.”

One of the greatest gifts we can give someone is the gift of notice. 

The gift of notice is costly. It requires us to look beyond ourselves and recognize the contribution of others or the pain they endure. Jesus was a giver of notice:

But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.” When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. Luke 8:46-47 NASB

The crowd dismissed her. She was one person in a sea of people. We know her as the woman with an issue of blood. Jesus knew her as a daughter. He recognized her touch even when He didn’t see her face. She did not go unnoticed by Jesus. We don’t either.

[tweetthis]We don’t go unnoticed by Jesus.[/tweetthis]

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. Romans 8: 29-20 NLT

“Our circumstances can make us feel deserted. When we are facing uncertain times, we long to feel God’s presence. We may feel alone and invisible, but we are never truly alone — Jehovah Shammah — God is there.” Out of Words, page 49 and 83.

Knowing in our head that God is always near is one thing, but recognizing His presence in the midst of our turmoil is harder. I think we miss it because most often, His comfort and provision come in the form of those He places in our path. 

How can we give the gift of notice to those around us?

• Pay attention. This is a hard one. Most of us will only accomplish this with prayer and intentionality. Life is busy, and we have our issues too. But, that never stopped Jesus. On His way to the most important three days of His life, He helped those that were in His path. A prayer for our day should include, Help me notice those in need around me, Lord.
• Say thank you. The housekeeper in the restroom, the checker at WalMart, the waiter that fills our glass, and our husband that plugs in our phone to charge. 
• Meet needs. We have all heard the saying that we might be the answer to someone’s prayer. I can guarantee we are. 

Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person. Don’t tell your neighbor “Maybe some other time” or “Try me tomorrow” when the money’s right there in your pocket. Proverbs 3: 27-28 MSG

God knew us in advance and will orchestrate circumstances to meet our needs. He notices, and He asks us to give the gift of notice to those around us. 

 

Carmen Horne is an author, Board Certified Advanced Christian Life Coach, and speaker who uses her gifts to encourage women. She is passionate about supporting women through life’s challenges as they learn to change their perspective on the unexpected. Her new book is Out of Words: 31 Prayers of Hope for Your Hurting Heart. 

At the ripe old age of 16, the Bayou State native married her high-school sweetheart. They have one beautiful daughter. Carmen is a dark chocolate nibbler and beach sitter. But her favorite activities are those she participates in as a wife and mom.