Finally, I get to wear the dress that took months of window-shopping to find, along with the perfect complimenting shoes and, of course, sparkling accessories to match. With my hair and make-up all dolled up just the way I envisioned, I was ready for my close-up. The day had arrived.
Walking graciously into the elegant ballroom, I found my beautifully arranged table covered with a fine white linen tablecloth and set with the most delicate china, crystal glass and sterling silverware. This room was fit for a princess.
Sitting there in awe of my surroundings, I watched as, one-by-one, my peers were seated at their designated tables. We were here to receive an award for accomplishing this rather difficult but transforming part of our lives. We were each, in our own way, saying goodbye to a life of ease and comfort–that of being a dependant adolescent–and entering into an unknown world called reality. This was our final hoorah; the rubber was about to meet the road and we, as seniors, were being honored at our last banquet together.
Along with the others, I sat there waiting with anticipation, longing to hear my name called. I could hardly wait for the moment to come; the excitement in my heart had me sitting on the edge of my seat. There was no specific order, just random names were being announced, followed by an encouraging speech about the person receiving his or her award. I, of course, politely applauded as each name was said and, as I ever-so-patiently prepared to walk my accomplished walk of fame, (wait for it, wait for it) my name was never called. Gasp!
I was devastated, completely embarrassed. There I was, all dressed up with my face turning all kinds of red. I mean, my entire table knew my name was supposed to have been called and everyone was just looking at me in shock over this “unfortunate” event. The looks said, “Oh, the poor thing, it’ll be all right.” It was all too much for me; I had built up such a perfect picture of how this moment was “supposed” to be that I had to use all my strength to hold my composure and wait until I got home to cry all my mascara off; and, yes, I held back the tears.
I did end up getting my award at the end, when they realized they missed me; but, in my mind, the damage was already done. I felt very alone and very forgotten. It was like for once in my life I was being honored for something I accomplished that I felt I actually deserved and, when they unintentionally took that from me, it made me feel like I wasn’t really worthy to have received it in the first place.
Time went on, and I decided I would just tuck this little incident away, far away, in hopes of never returning to it again. I walked around pretty ignorant to the fact that I was wounded. You see, I made an inner vow telling myself I would “always” be forgotten and nobody really cares if I am there or not.
The moment of truth came a mere ten years later when I was sitting in a freedom class at my church and we were talking about past wounds that we may need to deal with. I sat there and asked the Lord to show me the places in my heart He wanted to touch. Almost instantly, He took me back to that place where I was sitting there in my princess dress; all dressed up on the outside, yet feeling very broken and forgotten on the inside. He then picked me up like a child, wiped my tears away and told me, “You were never forgotten; you are always CHOSEN.”
I had to take this in for a minute, because if anyone else would have told me this, I might have said, “Thanks for trying to make me feel better” and just moved on. But this word came from a much higher source; it came from my Maker, the Creator of all things new. It spoke life to me and brought a new revelation of who I am and how He sees me. I was completely affirmed that day, and my life has never been the same. He deposited the truth into the lie that I had believed and identified with for so many years and restored my confidence in who I was; who He created me to be.
He also reminded me of many times when I was chosen, remembered, and honored. From when I was a little girl to adulthood, my life has been truly blessed in many ways when the Lord protected me, rescued me, and set me aside for a specific purpose. I am realizing now–that specific purpose is for such a time as this.
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b
Wow! To know that our royal position is here and now! We don’t have to walk around feeling bound by negative words spoken to us, or unintentional mistakes made by others that have kept us from believing the truth of our existence. This life can be one that is chosen by the royal King of All Kings, the One who calls us by name, and sees no scar or stain on us. We just have to believe it and walk in it.
Things like this may still happen. Somebody may forget to call my name, somebody may forget to give me a due reward; but I’ve learned it’s not about me. It’s about Him being glorified, and that’s the main thing. And knowing that He chose me and called me for such a time as this gives me confidence and courage to move forward in true freedom.
I’m here to stand in the gap for those of you who have ever been forgotten, overlooked, mistreated, or maybe even picked last for something. I’m here to tell you that you are CHOSEN! God has hand-picked you for such a time as this and He wants to take the lie and deposit His truth within you. We are free to live!
Beautiful, beautiful. Thank you for sharing this truth, that if unknown, causes us to step back, not only from what He has called us to DO, but also from walking in all that He has called us to BE. Great way to begin my day. I will walk a bit more confidently today as my Dad's princess. Bless your day Maree.
My Maree, I so appreciate how you put your heart out for all to see and reveal how the Lord can speak to us through it all giving us comfort, security, confidence and a hope. I love you and am so proud of you and to call you my wife. Keep writing.
Lovely, Miss Marie! Thank you for sharing- liked what you said about what you heard -you were Chosen- coming from the Creator Himself. So true that nothing anyone could say could fill that space in that knowing that you KNOW He is speaking that truth to you because it just fills your heart and soul to overflowing all at the same time.
Love it Maree! I am always blessed by people like you who look for the unseen ones and pull them into acceptance. You have a gift for that. Love you! Thanks for letting me know your article was up today so I didn't miss out.
Maree, reading this article was perfect timing for me. I love that I'm already in my royal position! I'm His princess
I won't go into detail, but know that this ministered to my heart!
Love you,
Princess Sarah
Maree,
Thanks for the reminder that I am chosen. Sometimes I need to be reminded of that. Its nice to know when you feel alone or left out; God is always there waiting to embrace us and show us how much we mean to him. Nothing else matters in that moment. Beautiful article. Once again, very well done and thanks for the vulnerability.
Hugs,
Summer Little
Thanks Maree! You took me there with you and I felt your pain. It reminds me of when I was little and my family was constantly with my cousins family, 8 kids altogether. It was very easy for one to go missing for a time without being noticed. I seemed to look for opportunities to be noticed, but not in an obvious way. I would hide myself in a place that I could still hear what was going on and see if anyone mentioned my name. Once I was missed and asked about it made me feel good. How strange is that, my little ritual of hiding…I guess we all want to be seen, noticed, important, loved. I am so thankful for you:)
Love
Steph
What a beautiful sharing of your heart! It ministered to me greatly!!
With Joy-
Stacy
You have such a gentle yet strong way to express your experience & restoration – many wil midentify & follow the course you took. That is kingdom impact.
Awesome word, Maree. It's so relevant to so many. No matter how old you are there are times when these feelings can creep in. Thank you for reminding me like you have everyone that we are indeed CHOSEN by the creator of all things new!
Love you Maree! You are precious.
I identified with the 'girl at the table' in so many ways. I have asked the Lord if I have made any inner vows similar to the ones you made. Thanks for sharing, Maree!
Maree- I loved this post and the way that you communicate through your writing. Was so encouraged and could definitely relate. So glad that lie didn't stick…cause you are soooooo chosen!! Love you!
Thank you, Maree! This was a beautiful, well written reminder of who we are and the One who has chosen us!
Maree- this is beautifully written. You have a quiet strength that draws others to you- and yes, you are chosen by Him! Even when we feel forgotten or left out, God calls us out and we are always on His mind!! Good stuff!
A fantastic read Maree! Thank you againg for opening yourself up in such a vulnerable way. Yes, keep on writing! Always loved to read your blogs……
Maree,
Tears came to my eyes as I read your article. God has taken my hand and is walking me through some deep inner healing and at times holding me as I cry. Thank you for opening up about the healing road you have been on. It is beautiful and encouraging to see where God has brought you and that He has enough love and healing power for all of us!
I love this! Thank you for being so honest and transparent! It inspires me to ask God what areas I might be wounded and not know it or think about it, but a place that He desires to restore and let me know he was there all along!
Thank you! Walking confidently as His princess causes us to share His goodness to those around us! I'm so glad you received from His truth today!!
Blessings!!
Sweet husband of mine,
Your continuous words of encouragement always help me to grow closer to the Lord. Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work inside of me, so that I can be all that He has called me to be!!
Love you sweets!!
Karen,
Thank you for reading! Such a great truth to know….that when God speaks, your heart will never be the same! To me, that is so powerful!!:)
You are a sweet friend!
Rebecca,
Thank you for reading and being a supportive friend!! I love that you saw what was behind all that I wrote!! I truly love to see the unseen because I was once that way!
Love you!!
Princess,
Yes you are in your royal position ready to do the Kings will!! I love your heart and how well you humble yourself for the sake of walking in complete freedom!! You are beautiful my friend!!
Love you!!
Thank you for hearing my heart Summer!! You are definitely His chosen among many!!:)
Love you!
Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing your story with me. It is amazing to me, that even when we are children we just want to be seen or heard by someone!! Once God showed me this concept of being chosen, He also showed me that I was hidden in Him and that when I hide in Him, He seeks after my heart just as much as I seek after His. Such a sweet place to be!!
Love you!
Thank you for reading Stacy! So glad it ministered to your heart!
~Maree
Jackee,
Thank you for sharing your heart with me!! Your encouraging words touched me in a deep way!!
Love you my double "e" friend!!:)
April,
Being chosen by the Creator of ALL things new hit a very tender part of my heart and it makes me so happy that it touched you too!!
Thank you for your encouraging words!
Gail,
Thank you for your honesty. I love when God opens our heart to identify with someone's story! I pray that He shows you where it is He's wanting to touch.
You have such a sweet spirit!!:)
Amy,
You are always so encouraging…Thank you for expressing your sweet heart to the world and to me!!
Love you!!
Thank you for your sweet words Jan!! Being Chosen is something I hope we don't ever forget!! You are such a faithful reader and a supportive friend!! Always a blessing!!
Love you!!
Celeste,
You confirmed something that is so passionately in my heart!! Walking in the Lord's quiet strength of truth and seeing others dawn to His side is my hearts desire!! Thank you for saying out loud what I have been praying about!! Very encouraging!!
Love you!!
Jen,
Thank you for sharing such a sweet and tender moment! You are so precious to the Father and it moves my heart to hear that He is comforting you and holding you as you walk through this inner healing with Him. I pray He continues to show you how chosen you are as you earnestly follow Him!
So blessed by your words!
Love your beautiful heart!!
Sarah,
Thank you for reading!! Our continuous growth in God is evident through our willingness to want more of Him!! I love to see this in your walk with the Lord!!
Love you!!
Maree! Thank you so much for sharing this! It was just a couple of months ago that I began struggling with feeling like I was the last in line…like I've been waiting in this long line behind everyone else and wondered if God even knew or remembered that I was there. Your story is a great reminder that there is no line. God desires to and WILL bless me and will give me the desires of my heart….and they'll be blessings that He's preparing JUST for ME…not someone else's…nor are they the left-overs that the "end of the line" gets! Thanks for the encouragement!
Wow I can totally relate. Thanks for sharing Maree! I always love how vulnerable and real you are!
Great article Maree! Because we all have a REAL enemy – we all have wounds that need His healing touch and a revelation that we are CHOSEN! Thanks for sharing His heart with all of us.
"We don’t have to walk around feeling bound by negative words spoken to us, or unintentional mistakes made by others that have kept us from believing the truth of our existence."
Maree,
You have found the truth, and it has set you free!
Thank you for reminding me, of the truth…we each are His Chosen.
This touched me so deeply the first time you shared it and to see written in an article that can pull countless people out of a forgotten place is amazing! God's love seeps out of you Maree!
Maree-so how in the world could you have been forgotten?!?! Only so that we could all glean a piece of wisdom from an amazing woman of God like you!! I love reading and learning about pieces of your life! thanks for always sharing in such an open and transparent way! xoxoxox m
Hey Maree,
I had a quiet day at home today and was able to read your story. I can relate to this article but in a different way towards rejection. The truth is always, what does God say about me and that's what I am, "a child of the King." I am so proud of you and where God is taking you! Love you, Mom