Photo by: The Assoc. Press
Over 100 years ago lots of Prickly Pear cacti were planted in the Astrakhan Desert in Russia so that the sands would not blow away and disappear (Bishop). These beautiful plants bloom for only 5 days out of the year (Bishop). The bloom opens at dawn and dies at sunset (Bishop). So, for simply 5 days out of 365, that is 0.14% of an entire year can someone see these beautiful blooms if they go to the Astrakhan desert! This year going through the pandemic with a lot of travel restrictions many were unable to make the trek with only a few scientists and photographers making the journey to see such an extraordinary bloom. Now let me ask you, would if no one were able to see the flowers would they matter at all? Would their beauty be a waste? Simply put, No! Because to the creator of the universe even, if no human saw this beautiful bloom, for 5 days out of every year He sees it! He is the one who made this remarkable plant and our God takes delight in His creation! Psalm 104 tells us, “The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made!” He sees the things that are seemingly unseen and unappreciated by man.
Think about it, if there were no social media to post your daily accomplishments to receive a like, or comment on how well you are doing, would those accomplishments be worth it? Daily we see posts like: I cleaned the whole house while keeping the kids alive, I made this extravagant dinner for 10, I did my child’s entire science project, or I ate all these healthy meals and worked out too! If we don’t get the likes or acknowledgment from the world do those things still matter? Will anyone notice what you have done? Sometimes it is hard to keep cleaning, doing activities for your children, on top of having a warm meal for dinner for everyone and let’s be honest sometimes we want to hear, “WOW! Great Job” or “I see all the time and energy you are putting in. Thank you.” Day in and day out many moms as well as dads and many people go about their day never hearing a compliment about how hard they are working. Which is why I believe so many post to social media about all they have accomplished in a day because their, one can receive a like or comment and feel as if someone acknowledges all that they are doing. However, when it comes to the word of God we are told “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). Don’t get me wrong, I find myself doing this too, and I am not here to bash social media or sharing your work and accomplishments with loved ones, but rather, I am here to tell you there is one person who ALWAYS sees the time, energy, effort, love and passion you put behind all of your work. That one mighty person is OUR loving father El Roi, the God who sees you! Be encouraged that He sees what you are doing, and He is proud of you! If you are not familiar with this name of God, it is mentioned only one time in the Bible and that is in a story in the 16th chapter of Genesis. In a short version, Hagar a servant of Sarai*is given to sleep with Sarai’s husband Abram* by her master Sarai and she, Hagar, becomes pregnant with Abram’s child. After feeling despised by Hagar Sarai begins to mistreat her and Hagar can no longer take the mistreatment, so she flees into the desert. They’re in the wilderness the Angel of the Lord approaches her and tells her to return home and name this baby Ishmael. Hagar replies, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13) I believe it is no coincidence that the only time this name is mentioned, is to a mother. So many times, through out our days as moms a lot of what we do is not seen by many. It isn’t the glamorous or fancy job others might have; we aren’t being portrayed in movies in a ball gown! No moms are many times behind the scenes doing the small things that have such a major impact on others around us! One of my favorite things to remember while taking care of our children is as my pastor loves to say, “I am changing destinies not just diapers!” That quote transcends the diaper phase and goes into every aspect of motherhood and being a wife! Just as God may be the only one to see the prickly pear cactus for its 5 days of blooming. He sees you! Think of it this way, Jesus tells us, “And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown in the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.” Matthew 6:30. As much as God cares for and loves the beauty of His creation, remember that you too are His creation and we are the only part of His creation that is made in His image! God loves you! He adores you! And oh, so importantly He is El Roi, the God who SEES YOU! Take a deep breath and let that sink in, wherever you are, knee deep in diaper changes and midnight feedings, He sees you Momma! Sneaking 2 minutes of quiet in your closet hiding from those teenage hormones, He sees you Momma! Aching for a child who has drifted from God’s call on their life, God sees you crying out for them every night when the rest of the family is in bed! Crying in your husband’s arms because of the loss of a baby or the struggle to get pregnant, God sees you Momma! For the empty nester waiting by the phone for a child’s name to pop up, God sees you Momma! No matter what age or stage of life you are in. Our God is the God who sees you and LOVES you! Without a doubt, He loves you are cares deeply for you! Keep pushing, keep diligently and passionately doing the tasks you are called to do. If no one tells you how great you are doing or how hard you are working, if you feel like no one sees you, let this be your time to know that God is telling you, “I see you ______! I the God of Heaven, Earth, and all of its beauty. I SEE YOU!”
Written by Justine Garcia
*Later called Sarah *Later called Abraham
Bishop, R. “Who saw the flowers.” God’s Big World, Sept. 2020, p. 1.
Nesting in his presence 