Sometimes, I just long for my day to feel seen; for my work to be validated and recognized.
For all the meals I cook to be appreciated.
For my patience in the chaos of family life and sleep deprivation to be applauded.
For all the little and seemingly insignificant things I do day in and day out that keep the household running to be acknowledged.
After years of juggling being a ‘working’ mom, the transition to being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom has been tough at times. There is no longer a paycheck to reward me nor colleagues to praise me, and the goals of this season are often not measurable—they are unable to be checked off a list at the end of the day and marked as accomplished.
But these emotions are not unique only to motherhood. Something deep within us longs to be seen and for our contributions to be recognized.
I love the name that Hagar called God in Genesis 16:13: “El Roi, the God who sees me.”
God sees you. He sees the hard things and the beautiful things; every success and all the mess in between. And He also sees all the little unseen moments of your day.
He sees every time you extended grace. Every time you chose to serve and honor those around you. Every time that you gave of yourself. And He will reward it. When we choose to make the unseen things, the secret places, our offering to Him, Jesus promises that our Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward us (Matt 6:4, 6, & 18).
The applause of man lasts but a moment, but the applause of Heaven resounds into eternity. Beautiful one, don’t be discouraged when your efforts seem hidden from view, because they are not hidden from Him.
Today, feel His pleasure in you; hear His affirmation and rest in the truth that your labors are valued by Him.