Mary Tyler Moore, Frank Sinatra, and the Pope

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I once heard an interview with Mary Tyler Moore and something that she said stuck with me.  She said that in all her life, the only people who had really seen her were Frank Sinatra and the Pope.  

What a combo!

It made me wonder, what about her husband, family, or friends?  Didn't those closest to her see her?  

I think this reinforces what I have known all along.  Most people do not really see us.  What and whom do they see?

1.  Themselves
2.  Who they want to see
3.  A one-dimensional, caricature-type image
4.  Either a diminished or a larger-than-life version of you
5.  Who you were years ago, if they've known you for a long time

People put you in a box of their own making, usually.

You reveal yourself, but bottom line is most do not care enough to truly see you as you really are.

Sad, I know.  But maybe it's a blessing in disguise!  After all, do we really want to be known by everyone?

I'm surpsied Mary didn't include Robert Redford in her list of people who really saw her, as he is the one who cast her, against type, in "Ordinary People."  Bob saw something more to Mary than the cheery Laura Petrie and Mary Richards characters she was known for.  

Where am I going with all of this?  Where do you think?  Jesus!

It is so freeing and comforting to be seen by Jesus.  Even more deeply than the Pope or Sinatra, Jesus truly sees us.

Why is this comforting?  Because He made us, so He knows us best of all.  Because He loves us so strongly and powerfully.  Because we have Someone who truly "gets" us.  

So don't expect others to "get" you because most of the time, they won't.  Not fully, anyway.

Instead, lean into God's great love for you, care for you, and knowledge of who you really are.

Dear Jesus.  Thank You for knowing me.  Thank You for truly seeing me.  And You do this for each of the billions of us!  Wow!  We never need to wonder about being known or seen by You, Lord.  Thank You for this awesome truth.  Help me see others as You do, Lord.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

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