Do you ever feel like nothing you do matters? 

I do.

Quite often. 

I love being a wife and a mom.

My husband and children bring so much joy and fulfillment to my life.

But sometimes I feel invisible. 

As though all of my hard work goes unnoticed and I’m pushed to the sidelines while my husband gets all of the love and praise.

Don’t get me wrong, he deserves it.

He works hard for our family and loves us well. I would be lost without him.

RELATED: Dear Husband, Thank You For Working So Hard For Us

But it can be painful to always be told how lucky I am for such a wonderful father and husband. 

To be told how he’s so amazing and such a wonderful man and to listen while others sing his praises.

Because even though those things are true . . .

Rarely does anyone comment on my qualities or abilities as a wife and mother. 

My husband may bring home the money and help around the house.

But nearly everything else falls on me.

I’m the one calming daily meltdowns, homeschooling, cleaning the house, paying the bills, scheduling the appointments, making all the phone calls, sending all the emails, filling out all the paperwork, taking care of our pets, fighting every day for our special needs children and more.

My job doesn’t end.

There is no clock-out time when I get to set down my responsibilities and take a break.

My entire life revolves around our kids and home.

But no one sees everything I do.

They don’t see that if I’m not cleaning my house every second of the day, it turns into a complete disaster. 

They don’t see how hard it is raising three special needs children, not having friends or family who live nearby for support, and being left to do it all mostly alone.

RELATED: Sometimes I Want To Scream, “Does Anyone See Everything I Am Doing?!”

They don’t see the struggles of trying to keep my head above water—juggling my mental health with special needs kids and trying to hold onto my faith through every storm that comes my way.

They don’t see me.

And when I finally took the leap to pursue my own dreams and passions, I practically had to beg friends and family for their support. 

The same support and recognition that is freely given to my husband in all of his pursuits.

So if I’m being honest . .. that stings.

We all want to be recognized. We all want to be seen and understood and validated. It’s part of being human.

And I guess part of this life is learning to be OK with being in the background. 

With doing what you’ve been called to do and being happy with that in itself. 

We may not get the recognition or thanks we crave, and let’s be honest, probably rightly deserve.

But we know what we’re doing matters.

We know how important this work is even if no one else sees it.

Whether you’re feeling unseen as a mother or in your career or whatever it may be.

You are seen. You are understood. 

If by no one else, God sees you. He knows your heart. He knows the importance of what you’re doing. And you’re exactly where He wants you to be.

So don’t be discouraged. 

Have faith and keep moving forward. 

Your reward will be greater than anything imaginable.