Your Hidden Days Matter to God
Note: I don’t do this often but today’s posts contain affiliate links which means that if you decide to purchase an item from a link off this page, I will receive a small percentage at no additional cost to you. Please see the sidebar for my full disclosure. I also would like to disclose that I did receive a free, advanced copy of Unseen but my decision to write about it and my opinions are solely my own. I only share books or resources that I truly love.
One of my favorite books I’ve read is Unseen by Sara Hagerty
. It is a beautiful, Biblically-grounded exploration of the days that we don’t think matter, the days that are hidden from the world. Days that deeply matter to our Father.
“I was beginning to believe that maybe who I was in secret was reason for praise,” she writes, “Maybe my unproductive, looking-up-at-Him life produced awe among the angels.”
These words in chapter one set the tone of what Sara impresses on her readers over the next two hundred pages, that God works in our lives often, perhaps most often, without regard any other audience.
I highly recommend everyone take the time to add Unseen to their reading list. It has changed the way I look at passages like Psalm 139.
“Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.” -Psalm 139:7-10
Our lives are filled with mundane moments, dishes that need to be washed, laundry that needs to be folded, children that need their noses wiped, or spouses that need support. It is easy to feel lost just going through the motions. The work is necessary but laundry never feels important, it doesn’t feel like it matters. No one sees the days we spend faithfully fulfilling the simple tasks set before us.
When I moved to Hawaii, my life felt hidden. Days that had previously been spent in a busy household, in the midst of friends and family, were now spent mostly alone. Then when the struggle of infertility became evident, my days were a steady train of doctor’s appointments, blood draws, and negative pregnancy tests. Again, I felt unnoticed as pregnancy announcements and career advancements flooded my Facebook and my circle of friends. My days felt meaningless.
But God saw these days.
Each and every one mattered to Him. Nowhere I went was hidden from His plan. No matter where life took me or where I tried to run, He was the constant witness, never leaving my side.
“My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:15-16
Our hidden days matter because God works in the hidden days. He created and formed us in the most secret, unseen place, our mother’s womb. When no one else could yet look on our nose, when they wondered whose eyes we’d have, God was there, seeing and creating us. He built us up when we were yet to be seen by anyone else.
He continues to build in these hidden seasons. He uses the deserts of life to draw us back in love to Him. When others cannot see us, He reminds us that He does, giving immense dignity and value to our unseen days.
When we are free from the eyes of others, we can truly gaze on the heart of God, undistracted.
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is a story about David, the writer of Psalm 139, dancing before the Lord. The Ark of the Covenant, where the glory of God dwelt, was being brought back to its proper place in Jerusalem. As it came back into the city, David danced recklessly for joy in the sight of the Lord. He didn’t care who was a witness of this display of emotion because he knew who He was dancing for and that was all that mattered.
His wife confronted him later. She said he had made a fool of himself. David didn’t care. The joy of his Maker gave him confidence. God was pleased. The opinions of others were negligible because David knew whose opinion mattered.
Often, I do not. My hidden days feel meaningless because my priorities are not as they should be. I value that thoughts of men more than the truth of my God. I want them to watch and forget that He is already watching. Instead of seeking the applause of men, I need to hide myself in the God who created and delights in me.
God is gentle and gracious. He draws me back to Himself and reminds me that He sees the ordinary, mundane moments of my life, the ones that seen insignificant to others. These moments are far from insignificant because of the dignity the eyes of God bring to every moment. I can live well and I can dwell in His presence, delighting in my Savior.
Friends, I just wanted to note that tomorrow is the release date for Unseen: The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed. If I haven’t made it clear already, I love this book and know that it will bless you too. Today is the last day you can pre-order on Amazon and enter your order number here for some amazing pre-order gifts here. Happy Reading!
The Comments
Rachael
This is so encouraging. I have been challenged lately to keep my days more hidden. I found that I was craving approval from others for what I was doing. Almost like if no one knew, then it didn’t count. And I’m not talking social media, I mean just talking to friends or family, attempting to gain validation. But by keeping myself hidden, I am only seeking the approval of the Lord.
Bailey
RachaelIt is so important to truly focus just on the Lord. It’s so encouraging to hear that you’ve been pressing into Him and seeking only His approval.
Tavana
Reminds me that everything we do should be to the glory of the Lord. Thanks for sharing.
Bailey
TavanaYes, it should be done for His approval and His approval only. <3
Kimberly
This reflection comes at a very difficult time in my life, where illness and uncertainty abound and I’ve been in a very dark place in my faith. Thank you for the reminder that God really is there, even though sometimes we can’t feel Him.
Bailey
KimberlyOh Kimberly, I wish I could give you a hug. That sounds incredibly similar to where my life has been for the last 18 months. I am praying that the Holy Spirit draws near to your heart in these dark days.
Maria
KimberlyHi Kimberly, I also am going thru a very difficult time in my life. A desert place of loneliness, illness, and unending financial strain. One thing I thought of was when Jesus was in the temple and he pointed out the widow who put in two mites as opposed to the money the Pharisee’s were openly flaunting as they put their money in. She tried to put it in discreetly (hidden), but He saw her in that “unseen moment ” and commended her openly to his disciples. He does see all things. Take heart, you are not alone. I needed to read this today, thank you for sharing.
Bailey
MariaOh my goodness, Maria. I was just reading and writing about the widow earlier. Jesus does see our hidden moments. And what’s even more wonderful, He delights in them.
Kristi
I love that passage about how David dance without abandon for the Lord! It’s so freeing to think that the Lord is truly the only audience that matters and we can entertain him even in our most mundane moments.
Bailey
KristiIsn’t it a beautiful example?
Chioma
Thank you for sharing this heartfelt piece. It is truly comforting that God is always there, through the quiet moments and the forgotten ones.
Beautiful pictures too.
Bailey
ChiomaIt is such a sweet comfort to know that we cannot outrun God.
Helene
I am not a Christian, but I do consider myself to be very spiritual, and I truly believe that God has a plan for all of our days. I believe that He hears our prayers, thoughts and criticism, and that He is there supporting us when we are flailing. I too know the sadness you shared about fertility treatments. Know that with faith, and modern medicine, it is possible. My three miraculous gifts from God show me every day. This post is perfect for me right now, as I am dealing with a lot of angst and uncertainty in my life. Thank you for sharing.
Bailey
HeleneHelene, It is so encouraging to hear about the three little miracles God sent your way. I hope that you find peace during this time of angst.
Ravi
beautiful post..
feel close to god heart..
happy to read this blog and feel good.
keep it up !!
Bailey
RaviThank you, Ravi.
Stephanie
Wow this is such a beautiful and honest post. I absolutely loved it from start to finish! I am feeling a little “hidden” myself right now, and am currently trying to find more meaning in my days and shift my priorities. Sometimes the mundane things need to happen, but it’s so important that we feel value in what we do, just as HE does =) Thank you for this lovely read!!
Bailey
StephanieStephanie, thank you for reading. I hope that He draws close to you during these days.
Robbi
“When we are free from the eyes of others, we can truly gaze on the heart of God, undistracted”
Thank you for the reminder. My days are often filled with cleaning, childcare, and cooking. While I know that God sees everything, it is nice to be reminded that even if I am just doing dishes or laundry that God still sees me.
Bailey
RobbiYou are seen, Robbi, and you are loved.
Kristin Cook
I’m having one of those hidden times right now. I know that it’s not about people praising me for doing right, and I have to remember that all that really matters is that God does see!
Bailey
Kristin CookKristen, I hope you can feel God’s eyes upon you during this time.
Juli
Sounds like a great book!
Thanks for the reminder – as a mom of a teen and two toddlers, I live most of my days “unseen.” Good to remember at least God appreciates it! 😉
Bailey
JuliIt is truly a wonderful book.
Joy DeKok
Infertility has a way of hiding us. But God. I ordered the book because as I age, I will soon be 60, I’m feeling hidden again and have been set aside by some I love as ignorant, religious, old, and irrelevant. Yes, I’ve had those word said to me. And again my spirit says, “But God.” He is the one who knows and sees and loves me. Anyway, I will be starting the book soon because I need it in this season of life. Thank you!
Bailey
Joy DeKok“But God” is right. It is such a good book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Heather
Loneliness is one of the worst feelings. This book sounds lovely and like just the thing when we get lost in our “hidden days.”
Bailey
HeatherIt is wonderful. So important to know that you are seen by God when you’re hidden from the world.
Kristen
I don’t know anyone who hasn’t felt unseen at some point. Thanks for speaking to my heart.
Bailey
KristenYes, I think we’ve all been there are some point or another. Glad this touched you.
Candice |Thebrowneyedmom
Such a beautiful post. We have to remember that everything we do should be for the Kingdom of God. His approval is the only one that matters. Thanks for sharing!
Bailey
Candice |ThebrowneyedmomIndeed, it is.
Dianna
God is faithful. Thanks for sharing how he’s working IN and THROUGH you.
Bailey
DiannaThank you, Dianna. His work is so beautiful
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peggymedberry
Funny how through Pinterest I can come upon something like this a year after you wrote it. But this is the time God meant for me to see it! What a lovely post. Having recently gone into “retirement” from teaching (not the rest of my life) I struggle with the hiddenness that now surrounds me. Do I have any “value” any more? I am writing my blog but often feel no one is reading… but God is my audience. It doesn’t matter if He is pleased – the rest will come in His timing. Thank you for sharing this timely and timeless piece.
Bailey
peggymedberryGod always brings things to us when we need them. Thank you so much for sharing how God reached you here a year later. Your days now to matter to God. He is your audience <3
Jennifer
Sara, the journaling Bible that is shown in the above pictures that is open with the book Unseen, which journaling Bible is this and translation? I like the looks of it and have been looking for a journaling Bible. Also, do you know the font size on it? Thank you.
Bailey
JenniferHi Jennifer, I hope you received my response to your email with the link to a similar version. Mine is the Crossway ESV Study Bible, hardcover. I’m not sure what font size it is but I’ve had it for years and love it.
perfectingtruth101
Thank you for sharing this encouraging post. It is a great reminder that God always sees us, and what we do matters to Him…even when we feel otherwise. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do ALL to the glory of God 1 Cor 10:31
Bailey
perfectingtruth101Such a beautiful truth! Isn’t it neat to know that even our eating and drinking can be offered up to God?
Jenny Morrison
What a beautiful post. I am so thankful that God sees all of our moments, and is with us in all. I see Him now more in those moments than I did when I was younger, but I still need to work to see Him and His power and purpose more.
Bailey
Jenny MorrisonIt’s so encouraging to know we are never alone and everything can be offered up to Him.