The other day, I was having a conversation with a friend over leftover spaghetti on a raging Saturday night. And by raging, I mean “posted up in my favorite chair in my pajamas eating leftovers and talking about life.” You know, like how cool people do on the weekends. The conversation jumped from topic to topic; from school to relationships to awkward stories to dreams to fears to just about everything in between.
Like many 21-year-olds who are nowhere close to marriage, our conversation led to the fact that we are in fact single. Yes, contrary to what 16-year-old McKenna envisioned for my senior year of college, there is no ring on my finger and the only aisle I’ll be walking down in the next six months is the snack aisle at my local Wal-Mart. However, this is not a post about singleness. Although, I could write a dang book about that. We all know there are many perks of being in a relationship, but to me, one of the most fulfilling and life-giving aspects about it is being deeply known by another person. Can I get an amen, ladies? Honestly, if this was a love language, it would be mine. I’ve always had a real desire to be known; not in a "I want everyone to know me" way, but in a deep, personal way. Want to make my day? Casually mention my favorite La Croix flavor. Actually remember when my birthday is. Not only will it really impress me, it will make me feel super loved. Just ask my friends. Remembering a small detail about my life will get you a one-way ticket straight to my heart. So in the midst of the little pity party I was throwing myself that night, I explained how nice it would be to have someone who knew everything about me and still loved me despite of that. “You know, like how Billy and Megan do,” I said as I began to list all the couples in my life who are happy and thriving. Then, God slapped me in the face with truth. That’s exactly how He loves me; He knows everything about me and loves me despite of it. Even if I had a boyfriend that remembered all the little, irrelevant details of my life, he still couldn’t know me and love me like God does. Even my closest friends, the ones who have my order memorized at my favorite Mexican restaurant, cannot know and love me like God does. My parents, who know me like the back of their hand and have seen me at my worst, even their love for me is not as deep as the Lord’s. That’s when it hit me; I am fully known and truly loved by someone. And He just so happens to be the God of the universe. My first thought when my alarm goes off in the morning. He knows it before I think it. The last thing on my mind when I fall asleep. He remembers it. The number of times I say the word “honey” in one day. He’s shaking his head at how high the number is. God knows me. My hopes, dreams, fears, secrets, the number of hairs I missed when shaving my legs. He knows it all. He’s completely aware of the ugliest parts of me and still he loves me. I once read a quote from Timothy Keller and it’s stuck with me for years, “To be loved but known is superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.” Don’t miss that. You, yes you, are fully known and truly loved by God. So whether you’re single or married, have hundreds of friends or just a few, you are known, valued, and loved for exactly who you are by a God whose love knows no end. And I don’t know about you, but that’s enough for me.
2 Comments
Kendall Love
9/13/2018 06:18:02 am
You’re the best. That’s all. ❤️
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Linda Lorick
9/29/2018 07:55:47 pm
Hi McKenna!
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AuthorMcKenna Best is a Carolina girl currently residing in the Instagram influencer capital of the world. She believes in Jesus, dancing in the kitchen, and slow mornings. McKenna is an assistant youth director and spends her afternoons working with middle schoolers in West Nashville. In her free time, you can find her eating Chipotle, making an excessive amount of Spotify playlists, writing in a coffee shop, watching The Office, or spontaneously buying a plane ticket somewhere. She is passionate about equipping youth to unlock their potential and be all that God has called them to be, whether that be through teaching Bible lessons, or writing articles for a variety of online platforms Archives
April 2020
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