I see you. I hear you. I know you. I know what it’s like.

I know what it’s like to have been sat down as a child for family meeting, and to watch your parent’s eyes fill with tears as they tell you they are splitting up. I know what it’s like to be in shock, not sure what to do next. I know what it’s like to see your sibling crumble and your parents doubt themselves. I know what it’s like to wonder if it’s your fault, to wonder if you were the cause of your family being torn apart. I know what it’s like to have fallen asleep plugging your ears night after night to cover up the sound of your parents arguing. I know what it’s like to pack a bag every night bouncing between parents. I know what it’s like to come to the realization that your family will never be whole again. I see you. I hear you. I know you.

But that is not WHO we are.

Because who we are is so much more than a series of bad events. We are so much more than that baggage we’ve carried around for years. We are more than the anger, the hurt, the betrayal, the trust issues. We are more than the questions that haunt us at night “Is love worth it?” “Does it last?” “Is there hope for my future relationship?” “What’s the point of marriage?” We are more than the traumatic events and the endless tears. We are more than the jealousy and envy we have for friends who have complete and happy families. We are more.

Because we belong to HIM.

It doesn’t matter that your parents fell out of love. It doesn’t matter that divorce statistics are scary high. It doesn’t matter that you’ve blocked out half of your childhood memories. It doesn’t matter how damaged it has made you. Because you belong to someone who will never EVER fall out of love for you. You belong to someone who has loved you and known you since before you were born. You belong to someone who has taken your struggles and made you stronger than you realize. You belong to someone who has not left your side through it all. You belong to someone who gave up his life to know you. No matter how damaged, broken, or lost you feel.

He sees you. He hears you. He knows you.

What happened with your family does not decide your fate. It does not dictate how your future relationships will end up, how long your marriage will last, or how you will love in the future. It is hard, messy, uncomfortable. But it is not the same path you have to go down. Because if you have Jesus and your believe in His unfailing goodness, He will give you the desires of your heart. Every good and perfect gift is from God, and He will not overlook you. He will take your broken heart and baggage, and help you unpack it. Every one of those bags you’ve packed thoughout the years and can’t seem to let go of. He will remove them from your grip, take your hand, and walk you through this. Because you are more.

He sees you. He hears you. He knows you.