I don’t remember a whole lot of my growing up time, but I do remember some.

I lived on a small farm and spent a lot of my spare time playing in the woods. I didn’t get to go to town much, so when that opportunity arose I enjoyed doing so.

One day, some of my family was going to town and I wanted to go. I had been riding my bike in the woods and they left thinking I had changed my mind.

I saw them leave the driveway and rode as fast as I could to catch them. It was to no avail – they didn’t see me and I was left behind.

You may think this was no big deal, but for me it was. I was hurt and angry. I don’t believe my dad left me on purpose. I don’t believe he meant to hurt me, but just the same I felt left out.

There were other times growing up that affected my self-esteem that still affect me today. Some may say, “What’s the big deal? Get over it,” but you are not me and I know how I feel.

There are people in our society that feel hurt or rejected – they feel left out. There are minorities that feel this way. There are poor folks that feel this way. There are foster kids that feel this way. There are single parents that feel this way. There are those who have been abused that feel this way.

I guess I could go on and on, but the fact remains that people experience their own hurtful emotions.

We do need to do what we can to address the hurts, disappointments and frustrations of those around us. But the real answer is Jesus Christ, who can come into a person’s life and heal broken hearts and broken lives.

He can change us from the inside out into a people who loves him and has a deep love for our fellow mankind. When we reach out with that love to help bring about healing in others, it ends up making us feel better about ourselves.

Jesus shows no favoritism. He doesn’t want to see anyone left out.