Does Anybody notice Me? Does Anybody Care?

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. –Hebrews 10:24-25

I was struck by one of the Broadway Musicals my daughter was focused on this past year:

Dear Evan Hansen… of which the key song, “Waving Through a Window,” says,

“On the Outside Always Looking In.”

Here are some of the Lyrics…

On the outside always looking in,

Will I ever be more than I’ve always been?

Cause I’m tap, tap, tapping on the glass.

I’m waving through the window

I try to speak but nobody can hear.

So, I wait around for an answer to appear.

While I’m watch, watch, watching people pass.

I’m waving through a window.

Can anybody see, is anybody waving back at me?

This song and musical have hit a chord with thousands of people.  Why?  We all want to BELONG and at times in our lives, most of us have felt like we are on the “outside.”  We feel like we are on the “Outside” of the “in” group, church, cool people, gang at work, leaders…wherever it is we wish we were.

Who has not thought at times,

“Can anybody see?  Is anybody waving back at me?”

Does anybody care?

Our family was in Asia this summer and I was so thankful for those people who were helpful to our family as we did not speak Chinese or Japanese.  I want to encourage you to be friendly during your week, and on weekends to anyone you see that you don’t know.  Maybe it is a foreigner who needs help.  They too, might feel like they are on the “outside looking in.”  They might be lonely, have a crying child, feel out of place, or out of sync.  A friendly, smiling or helping person, can put them at ease, and help them to feel like someone sees them.  Someone notices them.  Someone is waving back at them.  They are wanted.

Blessings,

Thora