A Cry for Attention

A woman posted a picture on social media the day after Halloween showing a needle in candy her daughter received while out trick-or-treating. The police investigated immediately. Turns out her daughter lied.

That begs the question – Why? Did she do it for attention, and if so from whom?

People do things like this all the time. That’s what Munchausen-by-proxy is all about. Parents who cause their children to become ill just for the attention. We have people get into the faces of politicians, screaming and yelling, and posting it on the internet – why? For attention. To feel important.

Why are people in such dire need of attention? Is it because they don’t feel loved?

Psalm 86:5 tells us that the Lord is forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. I can’t help but think if these attention seekers had more God in their lives, they’d feel a lot better about themselves.

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There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in our lives – the pain, the loneliness. We must have the courage to recognize it. The poor you may have right in your own family. Find them. Love them. – Mother Teresa

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As Christians, we need to show love for others. We should make people feel important so they don’t have a need to resort to lying about a needle in candy. Sure, some of these attention seekers are narcissistic or suffer from Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD), and no amount of love is going to help them. But most people who go to such extremes just want to feel important in this world.

There are just too many people crying to belong, and as Christians, we should show others God’s love so they don’t feel so alone and empty inside. And the best way to do that is by sharing our love with others.

We are coming up on the holiday season where time gets away from us quickly. Take a moment and think of someone in your life who could use a bit of your attention, your love. Pray for them and come up with a way to send some of your love their way. You will make them feel better and show them how God looks in a world with a lot of attention seekers but little compassion.

If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, let me know and I’ll be happy to pray for the situation.