In the small town, there was a house on Maple Street that always seemed to glow with warmth and love regardless of the weather outside.
This was the home of Sarah Jenkins, a mother of three vibrant children and the wife of a busy carpenter. To the casual observer, Sarah’s life seemed filled with the mundane tasks of laundry, cooking, and chauffeuring kids to and from activities.
It happened gradually, but Sarah felt she was becoming more and more “invisible” to her family…
One morning as she dropped of her eldest son Jacob off at school, a teacher stopped by to say hi and ask “Who’s that with you Jacob?”. “Nobody” he replied uninterested. Nobody? Sarah and the teacher both laughed and played it off. But Sarah couldn’t help feel the tinge of sadness in her heart. “I guess I’m a nobody?“
The same thing with her husband who was always busy at work or frozen in front of the TV. During the hectic mornings as Sarah scrambled to get the kids ready for school, her husband Michael would rush out early, barely managing a goodbye. Even during the evenings they would barely have much conversation even if she tried to distract him from his favorite shows.
Doesn’t anyone see me at all? Am I really invisible?
With a prayer for patience, Sarah calmly set about righting the morning’s wrongs, her presence like a gentle, steadying force.
Days turned into weeks, and Sarah’s routine never faltered. She volunteered at the church, led a women’s prayer group, and always made sure her home was open to anyone in need of a meal or a listening ear. Her work, however, often went unnoticed, her tireless efforts blending into the fabric of daily life.
One Sunday at the church’s annual community appreciation picnic, Sarah overheard a conversation between two new church members. “I don’t know how this community comes together so well. It’s like magic,” one commented. Sarah smiled quietly, knowing the ‘magic’ was God’s love at work, often through her unseen efforts.
Feeling slightly weary that evening, Sarah sat in her small garden after everyone had gone to bed. She prayed, feeling a bit invisible and wondering about the purpose of her relentless and often overlooked service.
As she prayed, a gentle breeze stirred the leaves and a sense of peace filled her heart. In that moment, she felt God’s presence reassuring her that every task she did was seen and cherished by Him.
The next day brought an unexpected affirmation. During a routine visit to the grocery store, Sarah ran into Mrs. Avery, an elderly lady from her prayer group.
With tear-filled eyes, Mrs. Avery hugged Sarah tightly. “My dear, I must tell you,” she began, “your prayers and visits have been my greatest comfort since my George passed away. What you do may seem small to some, but it’s everything to someone like me. God truly sees you, Sarah.”
These words struck a deep chord in Sarah, reminding her that her service was a silent sermon of God’s love. Her efforts, invisible to some, were indeed a vital part of God’s kingdom on Earth. Energized by this revelation, Sarah continued her daily routines, filled with a renewed sense of purpose and joy.
As the years passed, Sarah’s children grew to recognize and appreciate the invisible threads of love and sacrifice woven into their lives by their mother. They learned to see the invisible, understanding that the true strength of their home and community was anchored in the faith and quiet dedication of their mother.
Sarah, the invisible mom, had learned the secret that her true visibility was in the eyes of God, who saw every small deed and heard every whispered prayer. And in His kingdom, nothing was too small or insignificant for every act of love was a building block in the cathedral of life.
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
– Proverbs 31:25-26
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overlooked and undervalued. We seek recognition and affirmation from those around us, but what happens when it seems like no one notices our efforts? The story of Sarah offers a compelling reflection on this very experience and a profound lesson in faith and purpose.
Sarah, like many of us, felt invisible in her own life—her daily sacrifices and acts of love barely acknowledged by those closest to her. This feeling of being unseen can deeply affect our self-esteem and sense of worth, leading us to question the value of our contributions.
Yet these seemingly mundane tasks we perform every day are full of meaning and purpose when we take a step back and look at the bigger picture. They are the threads that hold the fabric of society together, often weaving a stronger community without the fanfare of public acknowledgment.
What Is Your “Why”?
Always remember why is it you do what you do? If you do the chores day in and day out simply to get them done for the sake of it, then there isn’t much satisfaction to be gained from there. But if you instead chose to focus on the bigger picture, and rely on God’s teachings for guidance, everything starts to make sense and fall into place.
“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.”
– Hebrews 6:10
Sarah’s story is a gentle reminder of the power of quiet dedication and the profound impact of unseen service. As we navigate our lives, may we remember that our worth and our work are always visible to God.
