Meeting Our Needs

This morning there was a toddler who kept crying profusely.  I thought she was crying because she was hungry or sleepy so I gave her some food, but she refused to eat.  At this point I was becoming very impatient, frustrated and even irritated because the crying had not ceased.  I reached down towards her and gently lifted her towards me.  Instantly the crying ceased.  It was then I realized that all she really wanted was attention.  She wanted to be assured that she was loved and cared for.  As soon as she was assured that she was cared for she became content.

This child is so much like adults.  We purchase the fancy house, fantastic car or beautiful clothes, but in reality all we really need is attention.  We need to be seen by other people and to be assured that we are important in their eyes.  Of course, we get those material things because we need them too, but many times we are trying to keep up with others so that we can be in their circle.  Let's take the time to let other people know that they are important to us.  We tend to get too preoccupied with things that should not take priority in our lives too often.