Not Forgotten

Forgotten.

That's what Brooke felt as the rest of the cast was on stage singing their hearts out in the show finale. She was backstage in a puddle of confusion and tears.

An innocent mistake. A missed cue by one of the backstage directors. A little girl, in a beautiful dress, pink lips, and hair curled to perfection, ready to sing her heart out- was left out.

She sat in the dark and let the tears slip down her checks, one after another until they became a steady stream. Her blackened eyelashes melted. Her rosy blush wiped off leaving her skin vulnerable and pale.

This is how I found Brooke after last Thursday's dress rehearsal.

"I don't think they want me in the play Mama. I don't think my part matters at all."

"Oh sweetheart- you know that's not true," I tried to comfort her while navigating around her mascara threatening to ruin my new pink sweater. Oh for Pete's sake Lysa, let her mascara ruin your new pink sweater.

I pulled her tiny body into my most tenderly fierce embrace.

And then I smiled.

God, the Great Provider, had already given me the perfect answer to comfort this precious girl's heart. I was supposed to be speaking this weekend in Houston. I'd been booked for months before Brooke even decided to be in this play.

We were both sad that I'd have to miss the performance but took comfort in me being able to sit through the final dress rehearsal which would be very close to seeing the real show.

Then at the last minute, the event in Houston cancelled.

In all of my years speaking, this is only the second time this has happened.

"Sweet heart, God has arranged all of eternity to make sure Mama could be here this weekend. I don't think He'd do that if your part didn't matter. Yes, you were mistakenly left out today. But you are not forgotten. Not today. Not ever."

I think we've all probably had thoughts at one time or another that we don't matter. We're just not important at all.

What a lie that is.

Oh sweet sister, do you know that today?

In John 15:9 Jesus reminds us, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now, remain in my love."

Remain.

Remain assured.

Remain confident.

Remain certain.

Remain secure.

Remain loved.

And remember, this life is but a dress rehearsal. Even if you sometimes get left out, the day is coming where you will be the star of the grandest show this world has ever seen.

Jesus will take your hand, lean in close, and whisper, "See, I told you I'd be here. You, my darling, were never forgotten."

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Congrats to Megs at Whadusay you won the 2 copies of "The Bathtub is Overflowing But I Feel Drained."