Does It Count If You Can't See the Flag?

Psalm 47:7-8 For God is the King of all the earth...God reigns over the nations.

I steered my little blue car into the drop-off line a full ten minutes earlier than yesterday.  I was relieved my near tardiness from the day before had escaped the attention of my kindergartner.  In process to a "Mother of the Year" comeback, I hear from the back seat, "You know, Mommy, I wasn't exactly early to school yesterday."

My Clara is adorable but no prodigy.  I assure you, she can't read.  I didn't talk about my blog post either.  It was as if she could see the action taking place in my thought bubble.  Instead of tuning into the destructive thoughts that threatened to follow, I tuned into her heart instead.

She continued, "You know I even had to say the Pledge of Allegiance in the hallway.  Does it count if you can't see the flag?"

This is something I've wondered myself.  No, I don't have deep, patriotic thoughts about the voracity of my national loyalty.  I do, however, sometimes wonder why I pray when I can't see God at work.

Do you ever feel that way?  Does it count if I can't see God?

It Counts Because He Sees Me

The beginning of the school year here in Tennessee means parents have no online access to their child's grades for the first few weeks of school.  Each August I get glowing reports from my girls.  I hear about every success - every quiz whizzed and each test aced.  Grades more average than ace fail to receive a mention.  My kids forget online access is coming just after Labor Day.  Eventually I'll know every grade but they live like I won't.

That's what happens when I forget God sees me.  My perspective doesn't matter.  I am in His loving eye whether I acknowledge it or not.  How thankful I am for Jehovah El Roi - the God who sees.  I pray not because I see Him but because He sees me.

It Counts Because It Changes Me

My circumstances may not change.  God may not move mountains with every word I utter.  But my heart is radically transformed when I pray.

Bitterness falls to forgiveness.  Anxiety folds into peace.  Control flips to freedom.

Just because I don't see the results I am looking for in my situation doesn't mean my prayers are ineffective.  Whether or not my circumstances change, I do.  I pray not because I get what I want but because I become what I want.

Jesus, You are the King who sees me.  You are the King who changes me.  It counts because my audience is with the King.