Awhile ago, my brother asked for my help volunteering at the mission. Now, to anyone else who did not know me, that request would have been odd. I have multiple leg braces and supports and must wear gloves and a health mask due to a crazy, mixed-up immune system. Why would someone ask me to serve? Yet, my brother knows my limitations and my desire to serve any way that I possibly can. He knows me. He knew that I could do what was needed and more importantly, he knew that I would WANT to do it!

I have been contemplating that. My family knows me. I have been disabled since a pre-schooler with increasing medical needs. Yet, my family doesn’t see me as disabled or chronically ill. They see me as a person. I must admit that I have a pretty amazing family. They step in to help when they know my limitations mean that I need it. They also let me and encourage me on to do as much as I possibly can do.

It got me thinking of Someone who knows me even better than my family. It reminded me of 1 Samuel 16:7 when Samuel was sent by God to the house of Jesse to choose the next king. The young men there were handsome, healthy young men, but God wasn’t looking at the outer man as Jesse was. He was looking at David’s heart.

“⁷ But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

Be encouraged, dear saint struggling on this journey of chronic illness and disability. God doesn’t see the weakness or trappings of your earthly body. He sees your heart. He sees the purpose for which He created you. You, the true you, are seen and known.

What a blessing!