I Never Knew You

Once there was a girl named Grace, adopted as a baby by a loving woman named Miriam. For years, they were inseparable—Grace’s laughter filled their home, and Miriam’s gentle wisdom guided her through childhood. But as Grace grew older, she began to drift away. New friends, new interests, and the lure of the world pulled her from the warmth of her mother’s embrace. Phone calls became rare, visits even rarer, until they were almost strangers living separate lives.

One night, Grace found herself in trouble—lost, frightened, and with nowhere to turn. Her heart pounded as she dialed the only number she remembered by heart. When Miriam answered, Grace’s voice trembled: “Mom, it’s me. I need you.”

There was a long pause. Miriam’s voice, once so familiar, was distant. “I don’t recognize your voice,” she said quietly. “Are you the one who left long ago? You never came back.”

Grace’s heart broke. She realized that the distance she had created was not just physical, but spiritual and emotional. She had chosen her own way, ignoring the love that had always been there for her.

In that moment, Grace remembered the words she’d once heard in church:“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23, NIV)

She realized her relationship with her mother mirrored her relationship with God. She had once been close, but had chosen her own path, forgetting the One who loved her most. Just as Miriam’s words echoed the warning of Jesus, Grace understood that knowing about someone is not the same as truly knowing them—walking with them, loving them, and being known by them.

The Bible says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Grace knew it was not too late to turn back, to seek forgiveness, and to rebuild what was lost. She remembered the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), and how the father ran to embrace his lost child. She hoped her mother—and her God—would do the same.

This story reminds us that relationships—whether with people or with God—require ongoing connection, love, and faithfulness. Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:21-23 is a call to genuine relationship, not just outward appearances. As it is written, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

My Sheep Hear My Voice

Are you strangers with the Lord? Do you ever talk to him? Do you ever listen to him? What are you going to do about it?