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.

14 comments:

  1. I am so AMAZED at how God is using you and all that you have accomplished through Him in the past couple of years! Writing, Speaking, Influential.......a true testament you are!

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  2. Sweet Shannon, I have friends like you that came alongside me and loved me right where I was to thank. You bless me!

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  3. He sees me! Oh sweet thought. I have His heart, His attention, why wouldn't I want to pray and yet so often I don't. Thank you for that great reminder!

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  4. It counts because I know He listens and He listens with all His heart and attention :)

    Thank you for this wonderful post. It has reminded me to pray even more inspite of busy schedule.


    Thanks for dropping by my blog and thanks for the prayers for my mom. It's heartwarming to know I am not alone in prayers.

    Spanish Pinay

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  5. Beck, You are seen and so loved. Precious in His sight...and mine.

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  6. Spanish Pinay, I love that - undivided attention. Beautiful.

    Continuing to pray for your sweet mama!

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  7. I agree that it doesn't matter if you can see Him or not. Reminds me of a joke I saw going around the MySpace bulletin board back when I had an account: a teacher asks a boy if he can see the tree and sky; he says yes. Then she asks if he can see God; he says no, so she says that this must mean that God doesn't exist. Immediately, a girl in the class asks the boy the same two questions about the tree and sky. However, she then asks her classmate if he can see the teacher's brain. The boy says no, and the girl says "Well, based on what we learned today, that means it doesn't exist."

    OK, I know that wasn't the point of your post, but every time I see something about not seeing God, it always pops in my mind, no matter the context ;)

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  8. Hi Shannon - I love the 2 headings: It counts because He sees me and it counts because it changes me. So true - I have noticed that after I change then what I'm praying for seems to change.
    Great post
    God bless
    Tracy

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  9. Sarah, that is so funny! Thanks for brightening my day. I've chuckled more than once since I read this on my phone this morning!

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  10. Tracy, so true when my heart changes my situation quite often follows but the change begins in my heart.

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  11. Susan, love your heart for encouragement. Thank you for your sweet words!

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  12. Beautiful post! Enjoy your sweet Clara... and the wisdom that she inspires.

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  13. Nathan, So glad you stopped by. That Clara is definitely a character. I am certain God has big plans for her life! :)

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