This day may carry a lot of joy for you. To others, it may be just an ordinary day. For some though, this day holds disappointment. It’s more of that mom I’m speaking to since I am her more often than not. But regardless, there can be times in motherhood that feel lonely and overlooked. If you resonate with that, I want to say a few things to you…

I wish I could say, I see you.

The way you care for your little one, prepared for every possible outcome, even the one that you mistakenly forgot and how frustrating that feels.

The way your eyes light up when you talk about your child’s most recent stage, or the way that your little one’s does when they look to you.

Even with the flash of darting eyes, wondering what danger your baby is about to get into, you stay alert, on guard, ready to swoop in at any moment. Protector.

Chasing after your child, trying to be mindful of your surroundings, tending to them, making it nearly impossible to be present.

When people address your child more than they do you.

The way you bend your back over, literally, picking up food chucked onto the floor after hours spent planning a meal for your family to enjoy.

The wrestles for a clean diaper, a clean onesie, a clean nose, whatever the case may be… or how about every time you try to do something for your child’s good only to be met with kicking and screaming.

Longing for connection with your husband after a long day. A long season. When you’ve tried to communicate your needs to him and you feel like he missed you… again. Or perhaps, that you’ve missed him.

When people overstep their boundaries and continually disregard how you parent.

When you’ve spent all day in the house caring for others, not having any time to yourself, and if one more person asks you something, you’re gonna POP!

The moments you’re unsure of yourself, why you’re here, what your purpose is.

When you do the same things for your family day in and day out and it feels like you’re wasting time because who really sees this?

As you feel abandoned when your kids get older, rushing to experience life on their own… and as they grow and flee the nest, the mixed feelings that come along with it: Relief? Joy? Sadness?

When new family members come and you feel forgotten, left aside, even after all those years of pouring yourself into your little one, nurturing and tending to their every need.

The way you selflessly give and give of yourself with no recognition, appreciation or gratitude… even with no one to pour back into you.

I wish I could say, I see you, but I know there are many moments that often go unseen and there’s no way for me to know all that you go through.

There is someone who does though.

In Genesis 16, there is a woman named Hagar who feels abandoned, mistreated, abused, and alone. Upon hearing her affliction, an angel of the Lord appears to Hagar. I’d like to note that the angel appeared to her “by a spring of water in the wilderness.” (verse 7)

God commands her to return to those who have mistreated her, but with renewed promise and purpose. Hagar gives God the name, El Roi, “The God Who Sees” because he saw her in her brokenness and looked after her.

The Lord refreshed her in a dry and weary place (returning back to verse 7). This account looks nearly identical to Jesus revealing himself to the woman at the well as the “source of living water.” (John 4)

So dear mama, between me and you, I hope we take hold today of the God who sees us. May we not get lost in the false promises of joy that society tries to push with cards and flowers. May we not have a contemptuous spirit towards those who we feel overlooked by.

May we keep running to the one who is the true source of strength and refreshment, our living water, as we learn to mother from a place of grace and trust in Him. Let our children, no matter what stage of life, encounter the grace of our good God as they witness their mother depending on Him in faith.

This is hard work.

This is holy work.

But He’s got you.

—

I feel like I heard the following from the Lord one day after asking him what the purpose of motherhood was…

You’ve been given the privilege of raising up this tiny human and introducing them to this beautiful, wondrous, terrifying world. The way you sit day in and day out with your littles may not be noticeable now, but as they grow in independence and relate to others, you will see the fruit of a life marked by love.

Even when your children grow up and may not do things you agree with, that doesn’t mean you failed. You are shaping and molding this young one into someone who will be a gift to others in ways that God has created them… someone who is hilarious, someone who is a nurturer, someone who is creative-minded or an inclusive person.

It all bears the image of the one who has created you and who has created the children he’s gifted you with. I know it seems hard right now, but you are not alone. Whatever season you’re in, there is a purpose. He sees you and he cares for you. He loves you and wants you to know his love.