A few weeks ago, I met with my boss. Not my manager, not her manager, but the Big Boss.
My company’s not that big, so I’ve talked with him many times over the past few years. But this meeting was different. I was putting in notice to leave the company.
For about 30 minutes I sat in his office, nodding my head and mmm-hmm-ing, as he lectured me about how to behave in the weeks between giving notice and leaving. He reminded me that my actions in this crucial time would determine how the management team remembered me; in other words, how they would respond if contacted for a reference check.
I understood why he would have these concerns – in general. But with me? Had I done something to make him think I’d slack off during this interim period or badmouth the company while I was still there?
As my husband put it when I told him about the meeting later, Had I acted like that in the previous two and a half years?
After thinking about this meeting for a few days, I realized that my boss’s lecture wasn’t the part that bothered me. It was the fact that he didn’t KNOW me.
- He didn’t know that I have kept my mouth pretty much shut for more than two years of being less than satisfied with my job.
- He didn’t know that I take pride in my work, even when it bores me, and I will do my best right up to my last day.
- He didn’t know that quitting a job to be a stay-at-home mom is completely out of character for me.
- He didn’t know that I’ve agonized over this decision and desperately wanted a chance to explain.
But those things are understandable. After all, he’s the CEO of an international company. He shouldn’t be bothered with the details of one employee’s exit. Still, I was hurt.
- He should have known that I did great work while I was at his company.
- He should have known that I could have done more if only I’d been given the chance.
- He should have known that I’ve done great things in the past and would jump at the opportunity to do them again.
- He should have known . . . me.
But he didn’t. And that’s okay. Because after I [finally] calmed down and got over the whole thing, I remembered: God knows me.
Did you catch that? The Creator of the entire universe knows ME. The One who knows all knows ME.
How amazing is that?!
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14
I don’t need to wave my resume around like a banner. I don’t need to take credit for every project I’ve every worked on. I don’t need to defend my honor – or, at least, my work ethic – in an exit interview.
God knows who I am. Even if my boss doesn’t.
He knows you, too. He knows you better than your best friend, your husband, your children, your therapist or your priest. He even knows you better than your mom. And He loves you anyway.
No, He loves you BECAUSE He knows you.
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
Jeremiah 31:3
Have you ever felt like nobody gets you? Do you know that God has known you since the beginning, that He created you, that He loves you with an everlasting love?
And He will never stop sending out just the right people to minister to you. Go on, tell us about them! We’re all ears.
Leave a Comment
Angelina says
Thank you for that wonderful reminder. I needed to hear that this morning.
God knows me. The Creator of the heavens and earth knew me before I was even formed in my mother’s womb.
AWESOME
Becky says
Oh, so so good. Praise the Lord that we need not come to Him perfect. We just need to come. For He loves us. Thank you Lord! And thank you for this post.
Lisa says
Thanks!! I needed to hear that this morning 🙂
Prayers, please….to lift the sadness 🙂
God is so good!!
I Live in an Antbed says
Dear Father,
Please wrap Your arms around Lisa right now and help her to understand more fully just how very precious she is to You. Flood her spirit with Your Peace. Help her to lay all her sadness at Your feet. Bind up any broken places in her heart and fill her with an overflowing joy in the face of whatever burden she is facing. Lord, You know her intimately. And You have provided for her everything she needs at this very moment, this very day, to walk the path You have set before her in victory. May her face reflect Your Glory to those around her as You carry her through this day.
Holley Gerth says
Hey Friend! Just wanted to say hello and that I’m missing you! Until we see each other again, here’s a hug and lot o’ love sent your way…
Renee says
Thanks for sharing. Work has created some issues lately and I’ve been struggling with the emotions from it. Good stuff to start the day.
wanda says
That’s a great reminder for me today!
He does know me!
Thank you, Lord!
shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
Oh what beautiful words, Mary. I needed to hear them today too as God woke me up at 3:00 AM to pray for one of my kids. He knows her too, and He loves her more than I do. I needed that reassurance. Thanks!
Allie says
Thank you for sharing this! I’ve felt like this since February and it can definitely be frustrating.
Eyvonne says
I’m SO living here right now, except that I am still working.
I especially loved this line: He should have known that I’ve done great things in the past and would jump at the opportunity to do them again.
I don’t think that many people can understand the pull of Home, especially when your job is not satisfying. If you’re able to do work that energizes you and you can come home invigorated from your day, that’s one thing (I used to have that kind of role, even though it was more demanding that what I’m doing now). But if you come home exhausted and worn out, the toll that takes on the family is unbearable.
Marine Mom Jenny says
Oh my goodness, I so needed to hear this, this morning. This is almost exactly me, right now. And the worst thing about it is that I work at a church. And for my “boss” to not really know me or get me makes me frustrated.
But it’s a great reminder that the Creator of the Universe knows me, really knows me. Knows my heart, my desires, my dreams.
Thanks for this!
Nichole says
I know exactly how you feel! I cling to this quote when I am struggling in this area.
“I find the solace I crave, in the righteousness of my true intentions. The Lord knows my heart, my intentions….and that is sufficient.”
Thanks,
Nichole
Rebecca says
I love this reminder. He does remember me…Thank you.
Marie Hawkins says
Thank you for this encouraging message. God is good and He knows my name. Simply Awesome.
christine says
Such a lovely post…its’ funny..no matter how many times I hear it, no matter how many times I read it…I never tire of the reminders that God knows me…it’s always been my struggle….thanks so much!
Tina says
Amen!!!
It is a great reminder!!!
🙂
Megan says
I’ve reflected on the awesomeness of being KNOWN by God a lot since my son was born…what a sweet gift! Here is the post I shared about this: http://devinandmegan.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-know-you.html
Mels Goin Goin Gone says
Perfect reminder in perfect timing! I’m struggling today for what ever reason and this is what I needed to hear. And what comes as a surprise to me, is no surprise to Him 🙂 Thanks!
Nikki says
I really loved this…so true and what a reminder that we don’t serve a Heavenly Father who remains distant. He loves us, cherishes (and the most important point, which you so eloquently made…KNOWS us!). Wonderful and beautifully written!
Ann Voskamp@Holy Experience says
Oh Mary — thank you.
Your life is a beacon on a hill.
Caroline says
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I was going to tell you a few specific lines that I particularly enjoyed from this post… but, I can’t. It’s too many. I’d be re-telling you most of your post.
Thank you for this great reminder of the One who knows us best.
Bonnie Gray says
Beautiful! What a great end to a curious beginning of a story! I was gripped by the drama… because I’m familiar with finding myself in spots like that — Doesn’t this person *know* me? … and it always brings me back into the arms of the One who does. Blessings in whatever God has you in now, Mary!
Beth says
Thanks for this post. God led me to the article tonight… and I so needed this reminder.
Rachel ~ A Southern Fairytale says
Mary, this post is so wonderful.
I can’t think of a day that goes by that I couldn’t use this reminder xoxox <3
Peggy says
God knows me… And He knew I really, REALLY needed this today. THANK YOU so much!!