The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18, NIV
As educators, we have days when the lesson plans are ready, the objectives are clear, and everything looks put together—but underneath the surface, something else is going on…
Not every student who is struggling will raise their hand. Not every colleague who is hurting will say a word. Some sit quietly. Some smile and push through. Some do just enough to get by.
And some feel completely invisible.
The truth is, someone in our building—maybe even in our classroom—might be feeling empty, alone, or like they don’t matter at all. And they may never say it out loud. Why? They are embarrassed. They are ashamed. They feel broken.
How do I know? Because that has been me… and it was me for a very long time.
Recently, the Lord prompted me to write this because there are others who are fighting, too. He said, “You are not alone.”
I may be finally starting to see it. I may be starting to feel it.
Scripture reminds us in Galatians 6:2 to “carry each other’s burdens.” That doesn’t always mean we have the perfect words or solutions. It simply means we notice, slow down, and choose to care. We create spaces where people feel seen because even a small amount of kindness can interrupt a very dark thought…a simple acknowledgment can remind someone that they are seen…and a little bit of grace can help someone keep going.
So today, be intentional. Look up. Pay attention. Lead with compassion. The student who seems disengaged might be fighting a battle you can’t see. The colleague who seems “fine” might not be. And the presence you bring into a room might be the very thing that reminds someone they are not alone. Never underestimate the power of simply showing someone they matter.
Lord, You see what we cannot. You see the students who walk into our rooms carrying more than backpacks. You see the colleagues who show up, smile, and quietly push through their own battles. And You see the parts of us that feel tired, empty, or overwhelmed. Help us to slow down enough to notice.
For those who are hurting, remind them they are not alone.
For those who feel unseen, remind them they are known.
For those who feel like they don’t matter, speak truth into that space.
And Lord, when we are the ones struggling, help us to remember that we are not forgotten either. Use us in simple, quiet ways to bring light into someone else’s darkness. We don’t have to have all the answers—just help us to show up with love. Please, Lord. Amen.
3 Responses
Spot on, and I didn’t miss the irony that the one who felt invisible published this anonymously. I often sit in both seats encouraging others, even as I am walking in my own burdens. Thankfully we who know the Lord are never alone.
Thank you for this word. Yesterday I felt completely broken down and worthless; I felt like nothing I did in my classroom was good enough for my students. In the same breath I felt frustrated with them for not listening, not caring, and not respecting me.
Yet this reminded me that the ones who are struggling may have nothing to do with me—and that my kindness to them in that moment can change everything… even if they don’t remember how to identify a metaphor.
Today’s devotional I can relate with deeply. I’m not sure if the author has struggled with depression or other, but that has been my experience most of my life. Being a believer and living with that is discouraging and causes me to question the depth of my faith at times, but then the Lord brings such great relief and encouragement when I read devotionals such as this amongst other Christian literature. My hope is to connect with my students who experience such things and be a light through Jesus to them. So, thank you to the author for being bold and vulnerable in sharing your life experience with us!