10. When You Feel Invisible
This is the story about an invisibility cloak.
Because it's only natural to feel unseen when the ordinary routines of ordinary life close in around us. No one is handing out gold stars for washing the dishes, or changing the oil in the car, or dealing with that pile of junk mail. No one gives a round of applause when we tackle one more ordinary task on one more ordinary day.
Or maybe someone does?
Lisa-Jo and Christie share stories of invisibility and ask whether our hunger for recognition and approval might actually be a good and necessary thing.
Do you ever feel unseen? We'd love to hear your story. Come say hello on Instagram: @lisajobaker and @christiepurifoy . Or use our hashtag #outoftheordinarypodcast
Listener Resources!
A film we discuss: The Wife, starring Glenn Close
A book we love: The Shadow Doctor, by Adrian Plass
See more of Maplehurst and meet Christie here.
See more of Lisa-Jo's daily, ordinary chaos over here.
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Discover Christie's books here.
Discover Lisa-Jo's books here.
Listening as I sit outside of work. I need some soul food before I jump into the routine of work. The entire drive I felt sad and I could not figure out WHY- and then… I hopped onto FB and saw this… THIS… I am feeling invisible and lost in kid fights, figuring out schedules, basketball, Boy Scouts, meal prep, laundry, ministry…God’s timing.
I’m so glad to hear that this episode found you at just the right time. God’s timing, indeed. Bless you.
This was so accidental a blessing for me. I live my life in the shadows without hugs and touch and this makes me weep. Oh please gracious God bless you for what you sent thru this message to me
Bless you, Debbie. Thank you for listening.
I can so relate to Christie’s experience, but it is so good to hear two different voices on this topic. You bless me every week.
Thank you, Hannah.
Thank you for your podcast! It is a balm, and I’m thankful for your conversations and encouragement each week. As I listened to your recent episode, I was reminded of a lovely passage from a book I’ve appreciated over the years entitled, No Ordinary Home. I hope you find it meaningful as well. The author has purchased a rustic ladder and has it displayed in her home.
“Okay, Carol, what is this?” he asked.
“It’s Jacob’s ladder, Bob.”
“Umm. Why Jacob’s ladder? What’s the point?” he countered.
“Oh, Bob,” I moaned. “All the time I’ve been out of the classroom I’ve felt I was somehow less important in God’s scheme of things. I’ve felt at loose ends. I kept wanting God to name me and give me a career. This ladder is a message from Him to me. He has named me. He named me ‘His Own.’ He needs to remind me, every day, that careers are roles, but identity is found in Him. I keep forgetting this, and He’s using this ladder to remind me.”
“Really? All that from a pine ladder?” Thoughtful eyes found mine.
“There’s more. It also reminds me that He is physically present in this house, today. When Jacob woke up from his dream, he said, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’ I see the ladder and am reminded that He is physically here.”
Silence. Those intense eyes were somewhere else. Then came the real question. “Isn’t that, well, isn’t it a bit confrontational? I mean, on a daily basis?”
Lord, I have thought a lot about Bob’s words. It is confrontational. It daily confronts my error regarding identity and jobs. But really, Lord, it’s comforting too. It tells me you have named me. So even if I’m mopping the kitchen floor AGAIN, or cleaning toilets, or folding clothes, my worth is safe in your sight. My value as a person is secure in you. I am pleasing you. And I want to please you more than anything.
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from No Ordinary Home by Carol Brazo
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Hope, that is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Lisa-Jo & Christie,
Such a powerful message today! Most people want recognition. More than just recognition they want to be known & loved. They want someone to come along side them & say “well done good & faithful servant”. We must remember that we are all on a journey. God has placed each one where He wants us to be. So what no big career anymore or even at all. You-the mom changing diapers, doing dishes, mopping floors-you are doing a good job. I see you!! Keep it up. You are raising the next generation of Christians. Sure I would love to have a great job/career with lots of pay & importance. Is that what God wants for me now? I took a hiatus-quit my job actually-for a little over a year. I did it to be more available for my aging dad. It was time well spent. In the interim I was also able to help my in-laws out. Now I have a good part-time job. That gets me out of house a bit & I interact with others. Plus I still have time for my in-laws. Like others have said: recognition is all about identity. Our identity should be in Christ Alone! He named us His own. We are His beloved daughters!!
Blessings 🙂
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