I feel so blessed today and overwhelmed by all of the birthday wishes.  Just to have that sense that someone knows your name and expresses something kind is like a breath of fresh air, encouragement to the soul. 

Today was a busy day, rushing from here to there, trying to be responsible, fulfilling duties and balancing a hundred task that all seemed to be the "urgent" one.   So receiving birthday wishes all day was especially uplifting to me. 

As I was going about my busy day on a hurried errand to a classroom to deliver paperwork, I saw two little 1st graders tailing me down the small hallway.  I was under a time crunch and needed to leave to get to another school quickly so was determined to deliver the goods and move on when I heard a small voice say "I am sad".  I gave a quick back glance and saw the two boys and presumed that they were talking together.  Within seconds, I heard the small voice again say, " I am sad".  This time, it stopped me in my tracks and I turned to see this little boy right behind me......telling ME that he was sad.  At that point, it didn't matter where I needed to be, I had to meet that child right where he was in his sadness.

I asked him, "why are you sad", he said "my grandmother died last Friday".   Being a grandmother of a 1st grader (who has a birthday today also), my heart strings were being strummed or better, hammered.  I asked him asked about the funeral and he said they already had it.  I then asked if I could just hug him.  He said yes, so I gave him a big side hug.   We talked about who he could talk with if he continued to be sad and that I  would check back on him on Friday when I would be back on campus.

You know, I didn't know that little boy's name and I am not sure he knew mine but in that moment  he needed someone to know him and his hurt. He took a chance and reached out in his need and I am so glad that God allowed me to hear him and meet him right where he was.

Be assured today that He knows you.  Psalm 139 beautifully reminds us of just how much He knows each and every one of us.   Be encouraged today as this song sings over you.