Unfair?

In Matthew 20:1–13, Jesus tells the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard to illustrate the surprising and gracious nature of God’s kingdom. A vineyard owner goes out early in the morning to hire workers, agreeing to pay them a denarius, a full day’s wage. Throughout the day—at 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., and even at 5 p.m.—he continues hiring more workers, promising to pay them “what is right.”

 At the end of the day, the owner instructs his foreman to pay everyone, beginning with those hired last. To the shock of the early workers, the latecomers receive a full day’s wage. When those hired in the morning receive the same amount, they begin to complain, feeling it is unfair. The owner responds that he has not wronged them—they received exactly what was promised—and he has the right to be generous with his own money.

 If we’re honest, most of us like fairness—especially when we’re the ones who’ve shown up early, worked hard, and stayed faithful. That’s why the parable in Matthew 20:1–13 hits a little close to home. The early workers did everything right, yet the latecomers received the same reward. On the surface, it feels…well, unfair.

 But this story isn’t really about wages. It’s about the heart of God.

 The landowner reminds the workers, “I’m not being unfair to you… Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money?” In other words: You haven’t been cheated. Someone else has simply been blessed. And isn’t that what grace is—getting what we didn’t earn?

 We forget sometimes that we each stand in the vineyard only because God invited us in the first place. None of us “deserve” His mercy more than someone else. The Kingdom operates on generosity, not seniority.

 So when God shows up for someone in a way you’ve been praying for… when someone else’s miracle arrives before yours… pause before letting bitterness whisper in your ear. Remember: God hasn’t overlooked you. He’s simply reminding you that His goodness is bigger than your timeline.

 And the same God who was generous to them hasn’t run out of generosity for you. Trust Him. Your turn is coming. 

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Seeing the Unseen

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” —2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

 

After reading this verse this morning, I prayed something simple but sincere: “God, help me see the unseen today—something eternal.”

Not long after, my husband popped his head around the corner and asked, “Can I make you breakfast?”

Now, breakfast itself is very much seen. Tangible. Toast, eggs, maybe a little coffee on the side. But in that moment, I realized something deeper was happening. What I was really seeing wasn’t just food. I was being handed an eternal truth—love.

Not flashy. Not loud. But real.

It was a whisper of the eternal in an everyday act of kindness.

Isn’t that just like God?

He often answers our prayers for insight not with lightning bolts or burning bushes, but with a gentle nudge through someone’s care, a timely word, or a small act of love. If we’re only looking for the obvious, we might miss it.

This world constantly tries to fix our eyes on what’s temporary—our to-do lists, our stresses, the endless scroll. But God invites us to look through those things and catch a glimpse of what lasts forever: faith, hope, love.

Today, I’m keeping my eyes open—not just for what’s in front of me, but for what’s behind it. The unseen that speaks of heaven.

 *****

Here are a few journal prompts to help you reflect on what’s seen, but temporary and what’s unseen, but eternal.

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Reflection Prompts:

1. Where have I recently seen “the unseen” in an ordinary moment?
(Write about a time when God may have been showing you something deeper beneath the surface.)

 2. What temporary things tend to distract me from eternal truths?

(Be honest about the things that keep your eyes stuck in the “seen.”)

 3. Today, I will fix my eyes on...

(Write one eternal truth you want to focus on today—love, grace, hope, etc.)

Prayer:
Lord, give me eyes to see what really matters. Help me look past what’s temporary and fleeting and notice the eternal things You’re weaving into my everyday. Let me respond with gratitude when I glimpse Your love, even in the smallest acts. Amen.

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Have you ever felt silly bringing a small concern to God?

God Cares About the “Little Things”

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:5-7 (NIV)
“As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. ‘Oh no, my lord!’ he cried out. ‘It was borrowed!’ The man of God asked, ‘Where did it fall?’ When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. ‘Lift it out,’ he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.”

Have you ever felt silly bringing a small concern to God? Maybe you’ve thought, “This isn’t big enough to bother Him with.” But this brief miracle in 2 Kings 6 reminds us of a profound truth: God cares deeply about the details of our lives.

The axhead wasn’t just a tool—it was borrowed, likely costly, and the young prophet was distressed over its loss. Elisha didn’t laugh it off or dismiss it as unimportant. He acted with compassion and called on God’s power. And what happened next? Iron floated. Something heavy and lost was restored—because it mattered to the one who lost it.

This story is a beautiful picture of how God invites us to bring everything to Him. Whether it’s a lost item, a stressful deadline, or a moment of discouragement, He sees it. He doesn’t measure our prayers by size—He measures them by our trust in Him.

So today, don’t hesitate to pray about the “little things.” If it matters to you, it matters to God.

Reflection Question:
What is something you’ve been tempted to handle on your own because it felt too small to bring to God? Will you trust Him with it today?

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Go Ask Your Father

Children have an insatiable hunger for knowledge. They have questions about everything. How? Why? When? Sometime their inquiries can drive you crazy, but their enthusiasm to know is amazing. Who do they usually go to for answers? For me, it was my father. It seemed he knew everything.

Sometimes inquisitive children can drive a parent crazy with their constant questioning. You know who's not like that? God. He is the most patient Father a person could have. He welcomes our questions, loves it when we seek him out for answers to life's situations, decisions or circumstances. He doesn't shoo us away but pulls us onto his lap and patiently answers every question. 

The Bible tells us to "inquire of the Lord" in many passages. The definition of inquire is to ask questions, probe, look or investigate. We only ask questions because we are hungry to know - to understand.

He is a loving and kind Father who wants to guide us through life, help us understand and make wise choices. He wants to walk us through life's ups and downs so we never feel as if we are alone.

I have to ask myself...How often do I turn to God for answers? How often do I turn elsewhere for answers?

I can imagine God bending down to point out the answer, encouraging me to read His book to find answers and listening to my prayers, which are often filled with questions. He is the kind of Father we would all like to have.

Let's come to Him with a child-like humility and a hunger to see things from His perspective, knowing that he will never turn us away.

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Example Living

 I opened my bible app this morning the verse of the day popped up...

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:9 NIV

I'm familiar with this verse, but this morning as I skimmed through it I thought, "Wow, if only I could live out all that I've learned or received or heard from Jesus and put it into practice."

Then I remembered, those weren't the words of Jesus. They were the words of the Apostle Paul, a man who once hunted down Christ followers to either put them in prison or kill them. That is, until Jesus revealed Himself to Paul, forgave Paul and changed his life forever. Paul became a believer who spent the rest of his life sharing the gospel and teaching others how to live a life that honors God.

I wondered if I could ever make a statement like that. I mean, could I ever tell someone to put into practice whatever they've learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me? My life is not perfect. My attitudes, habits and thoughts are not always something I'd want others to put into practice. But then, none of us are perfect. 

Neither was Paul. What Paul did was his best to honor God by the way he lived, loved and served others. He did his best to share the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. He just did his best knowing that God was with him.

Can we live that "example" kind of life - a life that honors God and sets an example of true Christianity? 

Only with God's help and doing our best. That's all He asks of us and He is with us to help every step of the way.

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