Does Anyone See Me?

 

photo source

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you are the world." ~ Dr. Suess

🦃  Ever feel like no one notices the struggles you are experiencing? Do you ever feel invisible? I have.  Who am I?  Does anyone know or care? Am I making a difference? In my first post, we talk about doing small things for others, but what if we're feeling small ourselves?

I remember when I was home with my young children I struggled to find my identity some days - I felt like I was just going through the same motions day after day: cook a meal, clean up, plan for the next meal, clean up- and I wasn't really using "my talents".  I raised kids in the 90s and it was in vogue to do it all and have it all.  Staying at home to be with kids wasn't really the posh thing to do.  

🦃 Being a mom of young children is such a unique niche in the chain of life - there is a lot of repetition, plans undone, deficits of appreciation. In fact, I think it's global - a 2 or 3 year old in America can be just as active as one in Europe.  And did you know, according to Unicef, that in their early years of life over one million neural connections are formed each second!  Yes, they're active! 

I wondered if what I'm doing even makes a difference.  I found comfort in hanging out with other moms; I wasn't the only one who needed relationships, validity, self confidence, and energy.  

 Programs like MOPS or any programs for toddlers at my church or community that were low cost and close by, were life saving.  They were designed for moms to roll out of bed if needed (on some days),   and just get the kids there where they were cared for and loved on for a couple of  

.hours while moms gathered

 

 But maybe you're a working mom and don't have time to join some of these programs.  When my youngest went to kindergarten I had to find a job because we needed the money.  It was one of the hardest things, in my opinion, to do aside from being a single mom.  I just squished a 40 hour a week job into my life & still had many roles to fulfill.  My cup runneth over but my energy did not.  I relied on prayers and my friends to vent & talk things through.

🦃 You definitely do not need to be a mom to have these feelings.  Many jobs have robbed me of my joy, made me feel invisible, like I'm running on empty & being pulled in a thousand directions.  More, more, more.  Been there.  You are not alone.  Even when you don't think you're seen, You. Are. Seen.  God sees you.

Jeremiah 12:3 "But You, O Lord, know me; You see me, and test my heart towards You."

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear,  for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

2 Chronicles 16:9a "For the eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

Eye of Providence  (as depicted on our dollar bill)

                                                                          

🦃 I love that the Lord strengthens us as we carry out our sometimes mundane duties as moms/aunts/sisters/grandmas/daughters/neighbors/teachers/friends/ wives/employees...  because we want wholeheartedly for our children/parents etc. to be loved and cared for.  We are responsible for those He entrusted to us.  We want to be the best that we can be. But we get weary.

🦃Challenge: Even if you find 15 minutes today to ask God to refill you, do it. You matter to your loved ones and to Him.  Open your bible or ponder this verse🡻  & let it give you hope & energy to keep on keeping on:

Colossians 3:23  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  

✙ Lord, thank You for always seeing me for who I am - Your child- You formed me & cherish me.  I can't do anything to make You love me more or less. My worth is in You & You alone.  Refresh my soul with Your Spirit Lord- strengthen me so I can be my best for You.  Thank you for always being my God who sees me. Amen.