Mums, I wonder if you like me have ever wondered if anyone really sees you?” Being seen makes us feel that what we do as mothers has significance, value and really matters.
However, we need to be very careful about buying into this myth! The unseen does not equal the unimportant. We need to remind ourselves that God sees us, and that it is His approval that matters the most.
Genesis 16 tells us the story of Hagar, the maidservant of Sarai and Abram. Sarai, unable to give Abram a child, placed her servant Hagar into her husband’s arms. Once Hagar was pregnant, there was such ill feeling between Hagar and Sarai, that Sarai began to mistreat Hagar. Unable to withstand the treatment any longer, Hagar runs away to the desert. She is vulnerable, pregnant, feeling very much alone, and unseen. But God meets her in the desert. He sees her pain, hears her cries for help, and answers through the visitation of an angel. In verse 13 of Genesis 16 Hagar says, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” In gratitude to God, Hagar gives God the name El Roi– which means “the God who sees me.” Knowing that she was seen by God, made all the difference to Hagar, and really helped her take her next steps.
Can I encourage you that God sees, knows, and cares about everything you do in your mothering! At the end of time, there will only be one person who will give the final assessment and approval of our life. There will only be One who can utter the words, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Ladies, we should live for God’s approval above all else!
Many people can be great in public, but few are equally as great in private. As mums, we need to set our hearts on honouring God and our family, even if nobody sees it but God. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)
Much of what you do may be unseen, but unseen doesn’t mean unimportant! No matter who sees you in your mothering, may you be reminded that God sees you. What’s more, in Jesus, you are loved and accepted not because of what you do, but because of what Christ has done for you.
Happy Mother’s Day to all our mums, mums-to-be, and mother-like figures in our lives. We are grateful to God for all that you do for us, and all that you are to us.