See and Bend Your Ear...

 

"Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear."

Did you hear that? "See and bend your ear," He says.

"You have a destiny," He tells me. "I have not forgotten you."

It is so good to be reminded, because sometimes I feel lost in the fray. In the work, in the voices, in the dishes and duties and relationships and emotions. "It is HARD being a woman," I want to call out to my husband across the living room. This room, so full of barbies and homework and mismatched socks.

Because sometimes the chaos of my home pales in comparison to the chaos of my heart.

So, even though my raiment is NOT threaded with spun gold - but with Target cotton blend - in God's eyes, I am threaded with gold. My work is worthy and good. Even when I cannot see beyond the busyness of my life, He can. God sees my good deeds. He sees my late nights. He sees my early mornings. He hears my nervous prayers for my children, my whispers of love and protection over my husband.

Even when no one here sees, even myself, He does.

And he has a message for all of us today - "Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear."

Blessed are you who are poor - struggling, working, pinching to make ends meet - the Kingdom of God is yours!

Blessed are you who are now hungry - hungry for reassurance that you are doing what is best for those you love - for you will be satisfied!

Blessed are you who are now weeping - weeping over mistakes, disappointments, broken relationships, the loss of a child or parent - for one day you will laugh!

Blessed are you when you are hated, excluded, insulted - when you are treated unfairly or are simply lonely for a real friend - behold, your reward will be great in heaven!

Oh, my sisters, how He loves us! He understands our hearts, our desires and struggles and passions. He knows the great love we have for those around us, despite the many times we trip and fall and make fools of ourselves.

Let us never forget to see and listen - to tip our heads toward Him and hear how he loves us.

Have you carved out time to pray today? If you haven't, take ten minutes (just ten, that's not much at all!), find a quiet place and spend some time in prayer. Offer God your struggles and take time to see and hear Him. And then relax in the knowledge that you are not alone, that you are one in the Body of Christ, and that God loves you beyond all understanding. I will pray for you, today.

Lauren Donohue Gulde is a wife and mother of four, living and working in the heart of Texas. She's a speaker, a blogger and a designer. You can learn more about her here.