Why is the Fridge Full?
By Noelle Dey
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Psalm 127:2 (NLT)
Did they see the sweat on my brow? Did they hear the extra loud clanking of the pots and pans? Believe me. I gave an Emmy award winning performance.
Sigh.
I applied my extra strength peripheral vision to see who noticed.
No one noticed.
Not one, “Thank you for cooking tonight’s dinner in addition to the extra t-h-r-e-e hours you spent cooking healthy meals for the days when you will be out of town.”
Maybe they were saving the gushing indebted remarks for my homecoming.
Then again, maybe not. I did come home to a couple, “We’ve missed you’s.” But whatever they said was quickly negated the moment I opened the refrigerator. It looked the exact same as the day of my departure. The turkey meatloaf went untouched.
Exhilarated, my daughter blurted, “These were the best three days! We went to DQ one night and got pizza delivered the next… It was awesome!”
In my quiet time the next morning, condemning thoughts raced through my mind. Am I needed? Why does my family do better when I’m not around? I work to the bone, and it’s not enough.
After my tirade, I felt like God asked me if I was done with my pity party. Once I realized I was the only party-goer, I listened for His voice.
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Psalm 127:2 (NLT)
Rest? You mean I could have rested and enjoyed my time with my family instead of being an overachiever on steroids? But then, how do I earn my keep? I want to be needed.
He whispered truth to my heart through Scripture.
Noelle, I created you with My special blessing (Genesis 1:27-28). I chose you to be my adopted daughter before creation (Ephesians 1:4-5).
Yes, I’m needed. I’m desired. I’m the apple of His eyes. Regardless of my hard work. Regardless of my résumé.
So are you. You are desperately needed. God created you with His special blessing. He chose you before creation. Put the pans down. Close your eyes to your mile-long list of chores. Settle into these truths.
How do you define your worth?
Personalize Ephesians 1:4-5 and keep it somewhere where you will see it often.
Even before He made the world, God loved (enter your name) and chose (your name) in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt (your name) into His own family by bringing (your name) to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.
Dear Heavenly Father, Help us to see ourselves through Your eyes. You made us, chose us, and adopted us. You love us beyond measure! Let that be the basis of our confidence. It’s not about us. It’s about who we are in Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
© 2018 by Noelle Dey. All rights reserved.
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