God Sees Our Hearts

Dear Sister,

Are you burdened this day with the disparity between what life looks like and what you hoped it would look like? Are you frustrated with the results of your labors, despite the love and effort you have put into each act of service? Are you saddened by a relationship gone sour, due to no fault of your own, or a relationship that never bloomed, despite your many prayers and good desires?

God sees you. He saw Hagar as she was fleeing her mistress Sarah, prepared to die in the desert. “She answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, “You’re the God who sees me! ‘Yes! He saw me; and then I saw him!’ “ Genesis 16: 13 (MSG)

God sees your heart, and He is honored by every pure desire and motive that lies within. Resist the urge to give up on the priorities, relationships, and dreams He has given you. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

Life is a lot like farming – I know that from first-hand experience. Growing up as a farm girl in southern Ohio, I not only watched my father and grandfather labor over their fields and cattle, but I also got dirty, planted seeds, and weeded many rows of corn and beans, waiting for the crops to come. Some years, there would be a drought, and the crop would not be very healthy, or the bugs would eat up the young plants before they could grow, or an unexpected frost would kill new blossoms on our fruit trees. Being a large family, we depended on this food, but more importantly, we depended on God. He was always faithful to supply our needs and bless the real fruit of our labors, even if in a small way.

Sister, please remember that while we are called to be faithful, we are not ultimately responsible for the end result of our actions, prayers, and good desires. We are not in control. Not at all! Just like a faithful farmer, we are called to labor for the Gospel to be furthered in our own hearts, in our families, and in our communities. God will produce the fruit at the right time.

My father had a saying he liked to share with us when we were sweating in the garden every July… “You know kids, these beans are going to taste great in January!” Often when we least expect it, in the middle of the dark winter, the ‘crops’ that we have labored over, and set aside for the colder months, will bear fruit that is oh-so-sweet.

He sees you, He delights in you, and He will bring the harvest at the proper time. Be faithful to the garden He has planted you in. You don’t know how He might use your faithfulness for His glory.

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)

Seen by God…your sister,

Ruth