Feeling Forgotten - Martin Wiles

Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought. Genesis 40:23 NLT

People surround them, but they are still the forgotten.

Thousands of them across the world languish in their personal homes, nursing homes, or assisted living homes. Doctors, nurses, and other residents surround them … but they are forgotten. They are not the sole survivors in their families … but they might as well be. Too many miles. Wrong priorities. Busyness. Unforgiveness. Whatever the reason, their family members stay away or only visit rarely.

Bobbie Smith, a professional caregiver, places the blame on the modern trend of a breakdown in extended family relationships. Family units have spread across the country, separating grandparents from grandchildren—and causing many of the elderly to feel pushed to the side and forgotten. Distance makes visiting difficult.

And consequences follow. A University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) study found people 60 and above who feel lonely experienced a forty-five percent increase in their risk of death and a fifty-nine percent greater risk of mental and physical decline (https://www.agingcare.com/articles/loneliness-in-the-elderly-151549.htm).

The following poem expressed the pain of feeling forgotten:

Mask
© Matt

I was once sad and lonely,
Having nobody to comfort me,
So I wore a mask that always smiled,
To hide my feelings behind a lie.

Before long, I had many friends;
With my mask, I was one of them.
But deep inside I still felt empty,
Like I was missing a part of me.

Nobody could hear my cries at night,
For I designed my mask to hide the lies.
Nobody could see the pain I was feeling,
For I designed my mask to be laughing.

Behind all the smiles were the tears,
And behind all the comfort were the fears.
Everything you think you see
Wasn't everything there was to me.

Day by day
I was slowly dying.
I couldn't go on,
There was something missing..

Until now I'm still searching
For the thing that'll stop my crying,
For someone who'll erase my fears,
For the person who'll wipe my tears.

But till then, I'll keep on smiling,
Hiding behind this mask I'm wearing.
Hoping one day I can smile,
Till then, I'll be here...waiting.

(https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/my-mask-that-always-smiled)

Joseph knew all about being forgotten. Over a period of thirteen years, he experienced being sold by his brothers—who hated him—being falsely accused of sexual improprieties, being imprisoned, and being forgotten by the person whom he’d interpreted a dream for. Perhaps, he even felt forgotten by God. But he wasn’t.

In spite of Joseph’s trials, God never forgot him. In fact, his trials made up a part of God’s sovereign plan to use him and his family. And when the right time arrived, God elevated Joseph to second in command and used him to save his family from a severe famine in their homeland.

Others may forget us—and circumstances may make us feel forgotten—but God never forgets who or where we are. He has a plan for our lives, which may include some tough times, but if we’ll keep the faith He’ll show us just how much He loves us.

If you’re feeling forgotten, turn to the One who never forgets anyone.

Prayer: Father, when we feel forgotten, help us remember You never forget us.

Tweetable: Are you feeling forgotten? 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.