The One Who Matters

Several weeks ago, I had a really hard day with the kids. 

Like… a REALLY hard day. You know, one of those days when you seriously consider buying a one way ticket to the furthest tropical location, and spending the rest of your life in isolation, selling coconuts on the beach?

Yeah…Ya’ll can pretend but I know you know what I’m talking about!

That night, I crawled into bed feeling so defeated. 

Nothing I did felt good enough.

-Dinner was “gross”. 

-Laundry was piled up.

-I was late to the school pickup line.

-My teenager was in a very “teenagery” mood.

-I had forgotten to run an errand for my husband.

-My youngest went to bed upset because we couldn’t read a book thirty minutes after bedtime.

-I was frustrated with co parenting issues. 

-And… I was behind on my Bible reading plan.

It felt like no matter what I did, everything I touched was falling apart.

I had reached the dreaded point of “why do I even try!” (I know y’all get it because we’ve all been there!)

That night, I collapsed on my bed and opened my phone in an attempt to completely zone out and unwind.  I really just wanted to drown out the noise from the day, and was in NO way looking for spiritual insight.   

But as He often does, God used that moment to speak to me.  

As I started scrolling through the “big FB” (as one of our boys calls it) I came across a post that stopped me in my “scrolling tracks”.

It wasn’t anything super profound, and probably wasn’t even meant to “speak” to anyone.

Honestly, I don’t remember a fraction of what it said but there’s one line that has stuck with me.

“The one who matters sees your effort.”

And like a wave, God’s mercy poured over me.

At that moment I realized that to God it didn’t matter that I was late for the pickup line, or that I had laundry piled up.

He didn’t care if I had forgotten to pick up dry cleaning or even that I had fallen behind on my Bible reading plan.

What mattered to Him was the heart behind all my effort.

He sees me serving my husband and children, and He knows my desire to do so with a selfless, and giving heart.

He sees me carrying the weight of our family’s world on my shoulders, and doing my best not to buckle under the pressure. 

He sees me spending intentional time in His Word every night, but He also sees the heaviness in my eyes as I try to squeeze in one more chapter before bed.

THE ONE WHO MATTERS, SEE’S MY EFFORT!

God’s love for us is not dependent upon our perfection.  If it were, there would have been no reason for Him to have sent His son to die on our behalf, and we’d all be in SERIOUS trouble.   

But when Jesus poured out His blood on that cross, the way was made for God’s grace, and mercy to freely flow to His people. 

So in all the areas that I fall short, Jesus is already filling in the gaps.

He’s already picking up the pieces, and directing my path.  And He will use ALL things, even the things that I mess up, for my good, and for His glory.

And let me tell you sweet friends, that has brought so much peace to my heart!

So, I leave you with this.

The one who matters sees your effort, Mommas and Daddies!

The one who matters sees your effort, Husbands and Wives!

The one who matters sees your effort, Grandparents!

The one who matters sees your effort, friends!

He sees YOUR effort.  He sees YOUR heart. He sees YOU! ❤️