So often the entire world, even the Christian one, seemed to overlook me. To miss completely my actions, my intentions, my words. An ugly stepchild no one wanted to see.

Ever felt that way? Misunderstood or ignored? Maybe you too have experienced that near-desperate longing for recognition. 

I craved credit for my bright ideas. I clenched my teeth. I dug my nails into my palms. I wished someone would notice that I had something to offer.

Somehow, I missed the fact that someone was noticing.

Matthew 6 reads,

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 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 others. Truly I tell you, 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.

Did you catch it? For years, I didn’t.

The Father sees. He means it so much He says it twice! And not only does He notice the good we do, He rewards us for it. Not long after this Scripture, Jesus discusses storing up treasures in Heaven, rather than on earth. So, we know that these rewards aren’t meant to provide momentary pleasure. They offer us a permanent scratch to that itch for approval, a forever satisfaction.

What’s more, the promise of treasures in Heaven reassures us that God values our “try.” Even if our efforts to do right escape the notice of everyone else around us, even if our failures set us up as fools, God sees and invests those efforts for us in our eternity. We can let go of our frustration, knowing that someone has noticed us, that what we’ve done matters.

All He asks is that we not demand recognition too soon. That we let Him do the rewarding, and not our spouses, coworkers, friends.

I still experience the twinge of longing. Then the Holy Spirit reminds me to unclench my fists and pull my nails from my palms. A few comments of congratulations from a coworker? Nah. As I struggle with this area, I won’t settle for that. Not when an eternity of God’s pleasure waits instead.

He sees. And that is enough.

For further thought:

In what areas do you crave recognition? Ask God to help you remember that He sees every good thing you do. Pray that this would be enough.

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