Tuesday Testimony
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:4-6 NIV
When Jesus said this to his disciples, he was specifically talking about praying. The pharisees were very selfish in their prayers and their giving. They wanted to be seen by men so that others would think well of them. They received their reward in the acknowledgment of others, but they would not receive a reward from God.
While Jesus specifically mentions praying, I think this can apply to many areas of our lives; the works that we do, the giving and so much more.
This passage specifically crossed my mind this past Saturday. My husband was at work on Saturday, and he told me he would be off at 5:00 pm. So I spent the entire day, cleaning, cooking and preparing a nice family dinner. As I was working, doing all the little things we moms do, I kept thinking about all the times my husband never notices or realizes what I do. This is no fault of his. There’s no way he can really see what I do unless he is here. There’s the changing of the diapers, the wiping down of the counters, the feedings, the burpings, the vacuuming, the dusting, the picking up of toys, the sewing, the blogging, the shopping, the laundry, the dishes, the disastrous messes that cannot be cleaned up any other way than a complete dunk of the child in the bathtub, the cleaning up of spills, the teaching and training and the list goes on and on. I’m sure you all could add to this list.
I find the temptation so great to cry out for the acknowledgment I deserve. When my husband comes home and doesn’t notice something, I want to point it out so that he can praise me for my work. Being that my children are still so very young, at times I feel like what I do is invisible. I hear this doesn’t change, even as the kids get older.
So 5:45 pm on Saturday rolls around and my husband is still not home. I call him only to find out that he is working on inventory. I have spent hours upon hours to make sure that dinner was ready exactly when he was supposed to be home, and now the dinner will be cold. So I sat down at the kitchen table and thought to myself: The Lord has seen everything I do. Now I can rant and vent to my husband later this evening about what I went through today and receive my rewards from his acknowledgment, or I can thank my God for all my blessings knowing that He has seen my work. The rewards I get from the unseen far out-way the rewards I get from what is seen. So I was able to hold onto peace, and patiently wait for my husband to arrive at home. And I knew that I would not need to run down the entire list of things I did to prepare for our Valentine’s Day dinner, in hopes of him giving me praise.
Do you know what my husband said to me when he walked in the door that night? “The place looks really nice tonight.” Oh how my heart fluttered. Moms do so much, and most of it is never acknowledged. That’s okay! I imagine that the Lord has special rewards awaiting all of the Moms when we reach Heaven. And this does not even mention the daily rewards of motherhood.
Even though my children are not or do not acknowledge all the work I put in caring for them, I am still rewarded by their smiles, laughter, hugs and kisses. They warm my heart each day, and I thank the Lord for my blessings.
If you are feeling a little discouraged because of unseen work, whether you be a Mom, Dad or neither, just remember that your rewards are waiting for you in Heaven. The Lord sees all that you do, and He wants to lavish love and blessings on you.
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:10-11 NIV
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Crystal, this was an absolutely fantastic post. What a great encouragement you are to my heart today. Thank you for sharing.
I really needed to hear that today…in a slightly different context, but the message is still clearly the same. We need to do what we do not to seek approval of others, but to be in line with God’s will and his direction for my life/family/kids, etc. Thank you so much for that post. It really spoke the words I needed to hear today. Your blog is a blessing in many ways. What a treat it is to come here for money-saving tips and also take away “life-saving” ones as well. Thanks!
Crystal, I am a new reader of your blog, and have found not only wonderful strategies in your posts for savings, but today’s post was absolutely wonderful. I, too, have small children and often feel the same way about my “unseen” works. And it’s not works that we should even be concerned with, but the faith we’re producing in ourselves to be shepherds of the little ones HE has put us in charge of. Thank you for that gentle reminder and for all your work that you do to post such wonderful savings each day.
Thank you Crystal! I needed to be reminded of this. I can get so wrapped up in What I Do For This Family that I miss the fact that it’s all a gift and a trust from God. It’s for His glory. He sees my efforts- and my faults- and loves me the same. Thank you for the reminder!
I needed to hear this too. God certainly leaves timely messages for us everwhere we go. Thanks for the daily encouragement I get from reading your blog!
Thank you so much for this post. I have felt that way more times than I can count or care to remember. I’m glad that you reminded me that my daddy God sees everything I do and His approval is more than enough.
What a fantastic post. I needed this!! Thank you!
I just subscribed to your blog and have a money saving/family blog also. I love yours, and I LOVE this post. Thank you for sharing!
I needed this today. Thank you.
Just what I needed to hear today. Thank you for an inspiration, thoughtful and touching post.
Amanda Butcher’s last blog post..This is what happens when…
Excellent post! So very much needed by all of us women! Thank you!
It used to really hurt my feelings (and sometimes still does!) when my husband seemed to notice only what did NOT get done–but I realize that I do the same thing to him–I only notice when the trash is overflowing, not all the times he takes care of it without me even paying attention.
I was actually thinking about this earlier tonight–I think the one thing all of us wants in our heart of hearts is to be acknowledged–for who we are and also for what we do. And as women we are taught to seek that recognition from our husbands, or at the very least from anybody or everybody outside of ourselves.
The truth is, who we are when we’re alone, just us and the Almighty, is all that matters, but somehow we think that isn’t enough.
We ladies need to realize, who we are in Christ is ENOUGH.
Thanks for the thoughtful post, and for all that you do to encourage us in our frugal pursuits!
Charlene’s last blog post..Freebies in the Mail
Thank you so much for the encouragement!
Babs’s last blog post..Rite Aid Savings Part 2
This is a beautiful post for someone who is not a parent. Thank you for continued LIFE encouragement as I surely know how having 3 mother’s has made me feel now knowing how much EACH one went thru for all of us, father included.
I cannot tell you how many times I seek out the “pat on the back” from my hubby.
I think it’s okay to want to be appreciated. However, you’re right, if one is doing something JUST to seek recognition from others, then it’s not right.
If I’m feeling like my husband doesn’t notice something (ie if I’ve cleaned the house), I’ll say, “Do you think the house looks nice?” He will then look around…I don’t think it’s wired in men to take all that in. But we’ve been together long enough to know each other’s love languages. I feel loved when I hear words of affirmation.
But like I said, if one’s motives are JUST to seek approval, then that’s not right.
God knows our hearts…thank goodness
Britt’s last blog post..First Room Finished
Thank you for this post!I feel the same way you do so many times–with young children, how can anyone notice and appreciate all I do? And like you, I want to point it all out to my husband and get discouraged when he doesn’t notice. It’s a great reminder to me that God notices what I do in serving others, and that is the most important thing! Thanks!
Thanks for this Crystal! What a great encouragement!!
Jenny from Mommin’ It Up!’s last blog post..Wicked Afternoon
Awesome post! God has certainly used you to bless and encourage us! This is the kind of overcoming
that is not often recognized or mentioned as such, because sometimes things in our minds are harder than outward obstacles. I have found “self pity is like a kitten sitting on your lap the more you stroke it the louder it purs”. Lord help us to avoid this trap! And keep our ears open for his “Well Done”. Thanks !
Great post. May God grant us the grace and strength to do the good works He has prepared us to do, and the humility and faith not to point others to them, but to be content before the Lord, knowing that our reward is with Him.
Thank you for your post. It really hit home for me.