*I* See

Maybe once upon a time you worked outside the home.  You completed tasks on time, closed cases and filed away finished projects neatly.  You conversed with adults about grown-up things.  And had performance reviews where you were praised for a job well done.  Maybe clients sent thank you notes (or even a plant once) or told you how much they appreciated you.  And you were paid for your services.  Maybe even sometimes you were rewarded with a bonus for handling that extra tough project in a commendable way.  You'd leave the office each day with a sense of accomplishment.  It was tough work, but you completed it and you did it well.

Maybe now you're a stay at home mom.  There aren't so many deadlines anymore.  Instead there are never-ending lines of laundry, dishes, school work, bottoms to wipe, noses to swipe, breakfasts to fix, lunches to make.  You converse with little people about little-people things.  There are no performance reviews because no one really sees what you do all day except these little people and they don't even know how to write yet.  Their reward system is a little willy-nilly.  One minute you're rewarded with sweet kisses and hugs and the next minute tantrums on the floor or meltdowns in Target.  You fall in bed every night thinking of what didn't get done.  It's tough work and it's never ending and sometimes it feels as if no one notices.

Sometimes we look for affirmation from our mates because surely they will notice our hard work.  Sometimes they do...but sometimes they don't.  Well then.  Our families and friends should see all that we're doing and give us a little pat on the back now and then because, goodness, look at all the energy and patience it takes to do what we do.  But they are rightfully busy with their own lives and often they don't seem to see either.  Well then.  Society should speak up and acknowledge our service- devoting our lives to rearing kind, concerned, law-abiding citizens.  Funny, I know.  They don't either.

This is sometimes a very lonely, seemingly unappreciated place to be.

But, I am here to tell you something very important, dear friends.

Our heavenly Father, The Lord God Almighty Himself,  sees.  

Oh, yes He does.  And He says...

"*I* saw you force yourself out of bed in the wee hours of the morning to feed your baby even though you were bone tired.

*I* saw you get up and get breakfast for your children even though you wanted nothing more than to stay under those covers and sleep the morning away because you didn't feel well.

*I* saw you as you calmly cleaned up one more spill, one more over-turned bowl, assuring your little person that it was a mistake as you consoled their whimpers.

*I* saw you as you wept, hidden in the laundry room because you didn't want to yell or spank out of anger.

*I* saw you as you read book after book to your toddler as you fought waves of nausea from "morning" sickness that lasts into the afternoon and evening.

*I* saw you as you lead your children in prayer before mealtime even though everyone was hungry and just wanted to eat...an hour ago.

*I* saw you when you kept your tone of voice in check and taught your child the proper way instead of only scolding.

*I* saw you as you held your tongue even though you wanted to give your child a tongue lashing in response to their disrespect.

*I* saw you when you felt alone today in the midst of a loud and busy household.

*I* saw the shoes you tied, the tears you wiped, the dishes you washed, the toilets you scrubbed, the messed sheets you changed, and the thousandth picture you colored alongside your little one.

*I* saw the hugs you gave, the kind words of encouragement you shared, the reassuring glances, and the healthy meals you prepared.

*I* saw as, through tears, you asked for your children's forgiveness.  Again.

*I* saw the mistakes, the regret, the times you fell short, and the moments of weakness.  In spite of all that,  I still love you and offer forgiveness every single time you ask.

*I* saw the love, the dedication, the hard, exhausting, draining and often unappreciated work you did.


*I* saw and *I* see.  Every day."

   "You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. 

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.
 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me." Psalm 139:1-5

"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' "Matthew 25:40

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

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