Maybe it is a middle-age thing. Maybe it is watching our babies...ok, young adult children who will always be our babies...mature in their lives. Maybe it is in acknowledging that Heaven holds more friends and family members than ever before. I'm not sure why the word "popularity" has haunted me recently. Maybe I should gather all my psychology/counseling books and AACC courses' materials and do some serious self-analysis. But perhaps this is just a part of growing in Him.
Maybe others can relate. I graduated from high school and college, married, have two children and still have dreams, plans and goals. But as I watch our children as they grow, learn and make decisions, I reflect...
I would never consider myself popular at any time in my life. I certainly had wonderful friends in high school and college. My childhood best friend remains my best friend back home to this very day. I tried to be a friend to those in my path. I was never crowned Queen of anything. (Ok, I was on the homecoming court in high school...once.) But I was never known as "Miss Popularity" in any way or anywhere.
Popularity is defined as "the favor of the general public or a particular group of people." I haven't seen my name in lights or even on a single banner. No buildings or departments are named after me. I don't have a wall...or even a mantle...of awards with my name on them. So what does that mean to me now?
It means that I thank God for each precious individual from every season my life. I am blessed to have friends God placed my path in my home town, in school, in college, in ministry days, in our neighborhood and even some who live all over the world. No, I may not be famous...or popular...but I have been given incredible friends who love me...truly love me...even when they have known me for years! Each one is truly sent from God and that means I am certainly blessed.
Yet, another definition of "popularity" says "favored by an individual or limited group." Isaiah 49:16 says "See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands, your walls are ever before Me." Knowing that God, Himself, has me engraved on the palms of His hands amazes me. He favors...loves...and cares for me...simple, southern me. I am popular with my Heavenly Father! I may never be in the "in crowd" and my name may never be in lights. However, my life is changed completely knowing that I am "in His hands" and that He, the Great I AM, knows my name. Who knows...I may even wear my very first crown someday, too! ♥~thl
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