You are known….
when someone finishes your sentences for you.
when someone knows your likes and dislikes
when your heart’s hidden chambers of hurt, love, and desires is like an open book
when your story is intertwined with their story
Have you ever felt known like this? How would you describe the feeling that you are known?
There are times when being known shows up as tangible gifts and other times it is a shared emotion or whispered commonality.
This past Christmas as my sons and I were discussing what gifts to give each other, I discovered I was known. My heart craves story. God’s story, my story, and the story of others. In this space I call home, I write about my ordinary that God has graciously evolved into extraordinary as I open myself to His word and promises. Writing is in one of my heart’s hidden chambers, but several times a week it reveals itself on this page. Also deeply hidden was a desire for a dedicated pretty space for my quiet time as well writing time. My sons know me and pay attention when I leave little hints. It is both amazing and a beautiful gift that my sons love me so well that digging into those hidden places is their way of holding me close in their hearts. The beautiful result of being known was revealed on Christmas. Even though one son ended up creating this space for me both know me well. Here is the big reveal.
But being known is not just a story involving family members or best friends.
[Tweet “You are known by God who desires to love you into being the best you.”]
When we are known by God, we are assured a beautiful beginning, a middle that grows us from childhood to adulthood and an ending that really is just another beginning. The story of our lives is secure and carefully crafted from beginning to end. The psalmist, David proclaims these affirming words in Psalm 139.
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:1-3
You are known by God who desires nothing more than to love you into being the best person you can be. He already loved you into being and everyday He is laying out your story page by page. Your story was written in the heart of God even before you were born. We learn this in Psalm 139.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:16
Whenever I read those words, I stand back in amazement. I want to be known like this.
How about you?
Love,
A Known Child of God
Blessed to be linking up with these fabulous ladies!
Oh friend, your space is wonderful. Your sons are such sweet hearts.
They are blessed to have a mum like you and you are so loved to be blessed by them.
With much love from Nigeria.
God Bless
Thank you! I love it and yes my sons know and love me well. I wish everyone could come sit there with me in person. That would be amazing. Love to you from Ohio. Blessings!
What a wonderful gift your sons gave you. So precious. How comforting to remember that we are known and deeply loved. Despite our failings. And our families can be a wonderful mirror of God’s love, but theirs’ pales in comparison with His love for us. Lovely space you have there. Enjoy!
I know, right??? It is so comforting to be known even on the days that is the last thing we are feeling. God takes our unique details and shows us such grace and mercy when we use our gifts in a way that is not honoring to Him. He also teaches us how to become more like Him through the stories that He has created for each of us. We are loved so well by God and that is the beauty of all of this. Hope you had a blessed weekend!
Mary, this and your new space are both beautiful! I appreciate your reminder that even in this big world, I am still known… most importantly by my Creator. Thank you for sharing your life through your words once again. It’s a blessing to follow you at Kelly’s this week! Much love to you!
I know you have a writing space at home and there is nothing like having something that is unique to you. Being known by God and those who love us is a gift that is so beautiful. We are uniquely created and loved and that is what keeps me going each day. I always love seeing you Julie! Thank you for blessing me by joining in the conversation.
Being known is a wonderful thing…and it’s scary! God has definitely been showing me how much he knows me and loves me in this season of my life. The way that he shows his love so specifically to me helps me see how much he cares about every detail of my life. Thank you for your post today! So beautiful.
Thank you for joining us here today, Judy! I agree that being known has a sense of scariness to it because God will push us beyond our comfort zones. But if that takes us to where we need to further His kingdom that is a very good thing. God cares about us so deeply that He crafted a unique story for each of us. That is love, my friend! Thank you for the treat of sharing your insights. Loved getting to know you a little bit!
How blessed you are, Mary! That space is undeniably YOU! I love it! I was reminded that I am known by God this week, too. Such a comfort, such a peace, such a hope! Blessings, my friend!
How great that our God connected us to the promise that we are known by Him. It brings so much comfort and hope when I wrap my brain around the blessing of being His child.
Thank you for checking out my beautiful space and for your sweet words. Hope your week has been wonderful!
Did your boys design the space or provide for it? I love it regardless!
My sons designed and created the space. Color choices were run by me and the wall hangings were chosen by me. The Passage Through Grace hanging was made by my one son last year for Christmas. Lucky me, huh? Thank you for stopping by and commenting! 🙂
Mary,
What a lovely space given to you by your sons!! Yes, we all desire to be known and loved just for being ourselves. Right now I’m struggling with physical ailments that are not helping my mental outlook…how wonderful to know that God already knows my needs before I even come to Him. He sees and He knows…what wonderful gifts!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
I’m sorry to hear about your physical ailments. It sure messes with our minds doesn’t it? I will be praying for you for healing. I love that we are known by God who desires nothing more than to love us into being the best we can be. That is love and such a beautiful gift. Having sons that know and love me well is the next best thing to the unfailing love of God. Praying for you friend!
Mary, your special place looks beautiful and so cozy and inviting! So glad your son was so thoughtful. And yes, I’m so glad we are always known by our God. Even if no one else notices us, He does and He loves us much. Blessings to you!
I know you have a cozy spot now too and I was in the midst of putting finishing touches on mine before it was revealed. It is so special because it reflects being known as well as loved by my two sons and God.We are noticed and loved by God 24/7 and that is a beautiful gift. Thank you for stopping by. Blessings to you too.
Oh Mary, I wouldn’t want to come out if I had a snug writing cave like this! Your lovely sons have shown how well they know you and how to bring you joy. What a wonderful blessing to have such a beautiful space to create in. I also love these reassuring words: “You are known by God who desires nothing more than to love you into being the best person you can be.” They speak hope and encouragement into this weary woman’s heart as she battles with the insecurity and low confidence that physical depletion so often brings. Knowing our lives are precious to Him and our hopes and plans are safe in His hands is special indeed. Thank you! Blessings and hugs.. <3
You are known and such a special gift of God. You bless others with your beautiful writing and sweet encouragement. I pray that your good days outweigh your difficult days.
As for my beautiful space, I am blessed that my two sons know and love me well. I would love for everyone to have a special place like this. Praying we all know how much we are loved and known by our Heavenly Father.
Hi Mary! BEST GIFT EVER!! I have toyed in my head with creating a writing space, a fun and restful place to create. But I’ve never actually done it. The gift from your loved ones is just perfect 🙂
I think they reflect the ‘known’ that God has for you. You dropped hints, but they used the grace to follow through and make you so happy. What love the Father has for us all!
Enjoy, enjoy!! I can just see you on that bench, coffee in hand, happy as a clam.
Blessings,
Ceil
That is exactly the plan. Coffee, God and prayer! A great combination. You should create a writing place. It just feels right when you enter that area to do what God has gifted you with.
My sons did a wonderful job creating a space but the gift is how well they know me. What I love the most is that we are known by God and the knowledge that He has created our stories with love is amazing to me. Thank you for stopping by. Love having you here, Ceil.
First of all, I love your corner and all the colors and patterns are some of my faves, Mary! I would love to sit there too with my cup of Joe in hand! You are blessed to have such thoughtful, intuitive and caring sons.
Secondly, I love thinking about the implications of that passage in the Psalms. I will try to imagine what it was like for Jesus to see me growing up by reminding myself of key memories. It’s always a great exercise to remind me that He is as close as my breath. Love your post today, my friend and always great to visit!
My favorite colors! I also have two sons who know me well. I am blessed.
The depths of Psalm 139 never cease to amaze me. The lessons abound of God’s endless love as well as ones that point to Him as the Author of our stories. The words never fail to speak to me. Thank you for joining me in this space and leaving such beautiful encouragement.
Oh my goodness…that space is so you! Love it. They did a great job. They love their mama well!
Yes to be known…something we so desire here and yet most truly have in Him. Love you dear One
What a treat to have you here today, Janel! I miss you!!! My sons did a great job and they do know me well. The best is that God knows us so well. We are known and we are loved. Love and hugs, friend!
I’m so proud of your precious boys for this space they created for you, Mary! I saw part of it before, but the finished product is absolutely amazing, every last detail. What a gift. Thank you for sharing Psalm 139 with us. It is actually much needed this morning :). Many blessings to you, my friend.
Thank you! They did a great job. Psalm 139 is my favorite and each verse has its own uniqueness that never fails to speak to me. I am glad that the words blessed you today too. Love and hugs!
Beautiful space. Reminds me of Brene Brown’s quote “Telling your story is the bravest thing you’ll ever do.” Our stories are powerful!
Yes they are! We are brave because we have a unique story gifted to us by God. When we step out and share our story, we are honoring God and trusting Him to give us the words to point them back to Him. Thank you for sharing the Brene Brown quote and for joining me here.
I, too, am so amazed how deeply and thoroughly God knows us. I love that Psalm. You are very blessed with your sons, Mary. It really touches me at how both of them not only know you so well but how they appreciate and encourage your writing gift. I love the space one of them created for you. Awesome! 🙂 Blessings and hugs to you!
Psalm 139 is my favorite. Every line speaks of God’s deep love for us. It also shares how well He knows us. It is a song of love for sure.
Both of my sons do encourage me in so many ways. I am beyond blessed by them and by God who knows me better than I know myself. Thank you for being such an encourager here, Trudy. I love having you as part of this community.
Wow, your sons done good! 🙂 Such a beautiful space they created for you. 🙂 I love the pictures they hung on your wall.
Psalm 139 is one of my all-time favorite psalms. God’s love for us is imprinted in every word. As I work toward better understanding my one word for the year (authentic), I’m seeing that in order to be genuinely authentic with the Father, I have to be transparent before HIm. He already knows the things I think and feel, but for me to come clean about all of them? That’s the beginning of authenticity, and the beginning of being known better by Him. Or at least having the sense of being better known by Him. Because of course, He already knows everything about me. 🙂
Great post, my friend!
Great insight, Jeanne! I love how you describe being authentic-coming clean with God. He knows every piece of us but until we show Him that we accept how he wired us, we are not authentic or true to ourselves. You just gave me more to think about.
Thank you for your sweet words about my new space. My sons are the best! Maybe someday this will be your sons!!! 🙂 Praying you continue to heal and gain strength.
Your sons created a beautiful space for you! How very beautiful that God used it to remind us all of how He knows each of us deeply and intimately. I’m glad you shared your space with us all!
Thank you Joanne! I love the new space and the lesson that God needed to remind me of about being known so intimately by Him. I am always blessed when you stop by Joanne! Hugs to you!
Oh how absolutely cool and cozy! The relationship you have with your sons is a unique one … how very blessed you all are to share such a connection.
I celebrate with you today, Mary!
;-}
I have a unique relationship with my sons that developed as they led me to Christ and I became a single mom. I am beyond blessed by the gift that God has given to me in my two sons. They also are talented and share their gifts with me. Glad you are here to celebrate, Linda!
Touched by the sweet thoughtfulness of your sons — and by the knowledge that God sees me and knows me better than anyone. So thankful for this truth!
I am blessed with amazing sons. They truly know my heart and the finished product of my quiet/writing space is beautiful. But the lesson of being known is that God created a story for each of us because of His deep love for us. We are known by the one, true King! Rejoicing with you in the truth of being known by our good, good God!
Knowing that you matter and that you play an integral part in someone’s life is a beautiful feeling. What more to matter and be known by the Almighty? The. Best.
It is beautiful feeling to be known but doesn’t ever compare to being known by the one, true King, our Heavenly Father. I love when you stop by here and encourage me, Lux. It makes my day.