Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

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

To be found in Christ is to be known.  Fully.  But how many of us can stand being fully known?  We know all of our dark sides, our worst moments, our deepest insecurities and longings.  We know the seemingly unlovable parts of ourselves. No matter how much, if any, unconditional love we have received from others, the fact of the matter is, no one knows and loves us as Christ does.  Fully. Intimately. Truly. Christ knows everything we've ever been through, everything we've endured, all the ways we've been treated and mistreated.  No one else on the face of the earth knows us as well - not even we ourselves. He knows why we react the way we do - our conditioned responses.  He knows how much and when we hurt inside.  He knows that He alone can fill our hearts, love us, and fulfill us.   When we realize this - that only in Christ we are truly found and known, it does several things. First of all, we are relieved!  Finally, we can be ourselves with the One Who knows everything a