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Embracing Grace: Honoring the Unseen and Overlooked

by One Family Church
on Jun 13, 2025

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Embracing Grace: Honoring the Unseen and Overlooked

Devotional

Day 1: God Sees and Values the Unseen Sacrifices

There are countless moments in life, especially in the journey of motherhood and service, where your efforts go unnoticed by those around you. The daily sacrifices, the emotional labor, and the unseen acts of love can leave you feeling invisible and unappreciated. Yet, the truth is that God, who formed you in the womb, sees every act of love and every tear shed. He is El Roi, the God who sees, and He values you not for your roles or titles, but because you are His beloved child. Your worth is not measured by human recognition, but by the immeasurable love and care of your Heavenly Father, who knows you intimately and cherishes you deeply. [04:00]

Genesis 16:13 (ESV)
So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel unseen or unappreciated, and how can you invite God to remind you today that He sees and values you?

Day 2: Grace Is a Gift, Not a Wage

We often live with the mindset that hard work should equal reward, and that fairness means getting what we deserve. But in the kingdom of God, grace is not something we can earn or negotiate for—it is a generous gift from a loving God. The parable of the workers in the vineyard reminds us that God’s generosity is not based on our performance or the length of our service, but on His own goodness and mercy. Whether you feel like you’ve been faithful for years or have just come to Him, the reward is the same: the gift of His presence and eternal life. [26:19]

Matthew 20:1-16 (ESV)
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to measure God’s love or blessings by your own efforts, and how can you rest in the truth that His grace is a gift, not a wage?

Day 3: Beware of Bitterness, Jealousy, and Entitlement

When we compare ourselves to others or feel that God owes us something for our faithfulness, bitterness and jealousy can take root in our hearts. We may become resentful when others receive blessings we desire, or when our prayers seem unanswered. But every good thing we have is a gift of grace, not a result of our own merit. Jesus, who received a life far worse than He deserved, calls us to lay down our sense of entitlement and receive with gratitude the life we have—infinitely better than what we deserve. [41:47]

Romans 6:23 (ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: Is there a place in your heart where you feel God owes you something, or where you are comparing your blessings to others? How can you replace bitterness or jealousy with gratitude today?

Day 4: Relate to God Relationally, Not Contractually

It is easy to fall into a transactional mindset with God, believing that if we do certain things, He must respond in kind. But God invites us into a relationship of trust, not a contract of performance. Like the late workers in the parable, we are called to trust His promises and follow Him, not to negotiate our worth or demand our due. Our prayers and our service should flow from a heart surrendered to His will, seeking His glory, and motivated by love for others. In this posture, we find peace, assurance, and compassion, knowing that our security rests in His grace alone. [53:35]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Reflection: In what ways have you related to God as if you were making a transaction, and how can you shift today toward a relationship of trust and surrender?

Day 5: The Upside-Down Kingdom: Serving and Receiving by Grace

In God’s kingdom, greatness is not measured by status, achievement, or length of service, but by humility and willingness to serve. Jesus Himself came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. The reward of eternal life is not earned by our efforts, but received as a gift because of God’s generosity. Whether you feel like the first or the last, the invitation is the same: to receive His grace with open hands and to serve others with the same love you have received. [01:05:00]

Mark 10:43-45 (ESV)
But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Reflection: Who is someone you can serve today, not out of obligation or to earn favor, but as a response to the grace and love you have received from Jesus?

Sermon Summary

Today, we pause to honor and recognize the often unseen sacrifices of mothers and women among us. Their daily acts of service—whether it’s cleaning, cooking, managing schedules, or simply being present—are rarely acknowledged, yet they are foundational to shaping the next generation. But I also acknowledge that for many, Mother’s Day is a complex day, marked by grief, broken relationships, or unfulfilled hopes. Whether you feel celebrated or unseen, know this: God sees you. He is El Roi, the God who sees, who knows, and who cares for you more deeply than you could ever imagine. Your worth is not defined by your role as a mother or any earthly title, but by your identity as a beloved daughter of the Most High God.

We are all wired with a sense of justice and fairness, and it’s easy to feel overlooked or shortchanged—whether in family life or in our walk with God. Jesus addresses this in the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), where those who worked only an hour received the same wage as those who toiled all day. This story challenges our assumptions about fairness and reward. God’s “math” is not like ours; His grace is not earned by performance or longevity, but given freely according to His generosity.

The parable is not about business practices or erasing all distinctions in reward, but about the scandalous beauty of grace. If we truly received what we deserved, we would be left with nothing but judgment. Every good thing—every breath, every blessing—is a gift of grace. The danger comes when we relate to God contractually, expecting Him to “owe” us for our faithfulness, which leads to bitterness, jealousy, confusion, insecurity, and indifference. Instead, we are called to trust Him relationally, like the latecomers in the parable who simply accepted the landowner’s invitation and trusted his promise.

Our prayers and our lives should be shaped by a desire for God’s glory, a missional heart, surrender, love for others, and dependence on God’s mercy. Whether we have served long or come late to obedience, none of us earns our place in God’s kingdom. We are all recipients of His generous grace. In God’s economy, the last are first, the undeserving are honored, and the greatest is the servant of all. Let us rest in this grace, live with gratitude, and extend the same love and generosity to others.

Key Takeaways

1. God Sees the Unseen and Honors the Overlooked Even when the world fails to recognize the sacrifices and burdens carried by mothers and women, God sees every act of love and service. Our truest worth is not found in our roles or achievements, but in our identity as beloved children of God. His gaze is attentive, His care is personal, and His affirmation is deeper than any earthly recognition. [01:38]
2. Grace Is Not Earned—It’s Given The parable of the workers in the vineyard reveals that God’s grace is not a wage for our labor, but a gift from His generosity. If we insist on strict justice, we would all fall short; it is only by grace that we receive life, forgiveness, and blessing. This challenges us to let go of entitlement and to receive God’s gifts with humility and gratitude. [36:11]
3. Beware of a Contractual Relationship with God When we approach God as if He owes us for our faithfulness, we open ourselves to bitterness, jealousy, confusion, insecurity, and indifference. True spiritual maturity is found in trusting God’s character and promises, not in bargaining for blessings. Our relationship with God must be rooted in trust, not transaction. [37:48]
4. The Kingdom of God Levels the Playing Field God’s “math” upends our human systems of merit and reward. In His kingdom, the last are first, the undeserving are honored, and those who come late are welcomed with the same generosity as those who have served long. This calls us to humility, compassion, and a willingness to celebrate God’s grace in the lives of others, even when it challenges our sense of fairness. [29:32]
5. Prayer and Life Must Be Shaped by God’s Glory and Mission Our prayers should not be self-centered or transactional, but aimed at God’s glory, the advancement of His kingdom, surrender to His will, love for others, and dependence on His mercy. Contentment and gratitude flow from recognizing that every good thing is a gift, and our calling is to steward God’s blessings for the sake of others. [55:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Honoring Mothers and the Unseen Sacrifices
[04:00] - The Unrecognized Labor of Motherhood
[11:57] - Wrestling with Fairness and Justice
[15:08] - Our Ingrained Desire for Justice
[16:54] - God’s Math: Introduction to the Parable
[20:19] - The Rich Young Ruler and the Limits of Earning
[23:57] - The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
[26:19] - The Scandal of Grace and God’s Generosity
[29:32] - Surprises in God’s Kingdom
[36:11] - The Gospel: Jesus Takes Our Place
[37:48] - Signs of a Contractual Relationship with God
[41:47] - Jealousy, Confusion, and the Gift of Grace
[47:24] - Insecurity and the End of Karma
[53:35] - Praying with a Kingdom Perspective
[57:09] - Surrender, Contentment, and Serving Others
[62:58] - The Gift of Grace: None Earn Their Reward
[65:00] - Jesus, the Servant King and God’s Upside-Down Economy
[80:14] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In the parable, what agreement did the landowner make with the first group of workers, and how did this differ from the later groups?
What was the reaction of the workers who had worked all day when they saw the latecomers receive the same wage?
According to the sermon, what are some of the unseen sacrifices that mothers and women make in daily life? [[01:38]]
What does the landowner say to the complaining workers about his right to be generous?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus use the example of workers who arrive late receiving the same wage as those who worked all day? What is he teaching about God’s grace? [[26:19]]
The sermon says, “God sees you. He is El Roi, the God who sees, who knows, and who cares for you more deeply than you could ever imagine.” How does this truth challenge the way we look for recognition from others? [[04:00]]
What are some dangers of relating to God in a “contractual” way, expecting Him to owe us for our faithfulness? [[37:48]]
How does the parable challenge our ideas of fairness and reward, both in our relationship with God and with others? [[29:32]]

Application Questions

The sermon highlighted that many acts of service—especially by mothers and women—go unseen and unappreciated. Can you think of a time when you felt unseen in your service to others? How did you respond, and what would it look like to rest in the truth that “God sees you”? [[01:38]]
When have you found yourself feeling bitter, jealous, or confused because you thought God “owed” you something for your faithfulness? How can you shift from a transactional mindset to one of gratitude and trust? [[37:48]]
The parable shows that God’s grace is not earned but given. Is there an area in your life where you struggle to accept God’s grace as a gift rather than something you must earn? What would it look like to receive it freely this week? [[36:11]]
The sermon warns against indifference and encourages compassion for those who seem “undeserving.” Is there someone in your life you find it hard to show grace or compassion to? What is one step you can take to extend God’s generosity to them? [[50:21]]
In your prayers, do you tend to focus more on your own needs or on God’s glory and mission? What is one way you can reshape your prayers this week to be more about God’s purposes and less about your own agenda? [[55:27]]
The sermon says, “Our truest worth is not found in our roles or achievements, but in our identity as beloved children of God.” How does this truth affect the way you view your own value and the value of others? [[04:00]]
Think about a time when you saw someone else receive a blessing or opportunity you wanted. How did you react? What would it look like to celebrate God’s grace in their life instead of comparing or competing? [[41:47]]

Sermon Clips

I'm confident in saying that probably there are few assignments in life that are more significant, even more sacred than shaping the next generation. [00:00:21]

You don't always get recognized for the sacrifices that you've made and some of the great many other things that you could be doing. But you've devoted your life to the incredible call of mothering. [00:03:29]

Whether or not you are acknowledged from the stage or celebrated in your home the God who knew you while you were still in the womb he sees you he's Elroy the God who sees he's the God who knows the God who understands the God who is with you the God who cares for you much deeper much greater than you could ever care for yourself. [00:05:31]

To every woman here your value and your truest identity is not measured in your motherhood it's not measured in some kind of role or a title that you have on earth it's your worth is in your position as a beloved daughter of the most high God. [00:05:53]

He gave his life so that you could be with him forever and I just want to encourage us with this one embrace from your heavenly father is worth far more than any pleasure you could ever find in anything or anyone in this world. [00:06:22]

Our worth our value and and our our our significance is in the fact that we belong to God and God loves us he sees us. [00:08:04]

We're wired. We are wired. It's ingrained in our nature to feel like hard effort or hard work equals reward. That first place earns the prize. Latecomers should just wait their turn. [00:14:14]

Scandalous yet beautiful is this reality that grace isn't earned, it's given. And it's not given according to our performance or our human understanding. It's given according to God's generosity, God's grace. [00:16:38]

Some things that you do just don't add up to us and yet we know that there's nothing wrong with your ability to do math, God, but everything wrong with our own understanding about how you should operate. [00:17:49]

He needed to understand that eternal life is not something you can earn. It's only something that can be received. [00:22:53]

If you are a believer in Christ, you are a disciple of Jesus. You've been regenerated. You've put your trust in him. You didn't do like the rich young ruler and cling to your things and to your own comforts of this world, but you have turned from yourself and your stuff and turned to Jesus. If that's you, then the promise that's for you is that there is now, therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [00:27:37]

If God's going to give us what we deserve, we're doomed. If God's going to give us what is due us, then the result of that is eternal damnation. Thank you. The Bible says in Romans 6 .23, the wages of sin is death. And if we're going to get technical, the reality is that's actually what we deserve. Anything more than death is actually unimaginable grace. [00:34:44]

The greatest position to be in with the landowner is in a trusting relationship with him, not in some kind of contractual relationship with him. You don't want to be in a contractual relationship with God. [00:35:24]

Jesus lived a perfect life, and then he died a sinner's death. He was crucified for sin, but it's not his sin, it's ours. We live the sinner's life, and yet we reap the benefits and the rewards of the righteous one. [00:36:30]

If all Jesus ever did was just save us from hell, and then everything else in our life was taken, we should still consider God to be abundantly gracious. If all he did was just save you from eternal damnation, we ought to sit there and say, blessed be the name of the Lord. [00:39:17]

You can never do anything to make him love you anymore. You can never do anything so bad that he loves you any less. This is the beauty of the security that we have in Jesus. [00:49:22]

None of us gets paid because we worked hard enough. None of us get awarded eternal life because we somehow did something to impress God. We all receive our reward because God is generous. The denarius isn't a wage. It's a gift. It's grace. It's not earned. [01:03:35]

Whoever you think ought to be first. And here's another reality. Jesus says, whoever wants to be greatest among you must be slave of all, must be the servant of all. In God's kingdom, it's upside down. Jesus says, I didn't come to be served but to serve and to give my life up as a ransom for many. This is God's math. [01:04:49]

When I look at your goodness in my life, I have incredible confidence that it was not because of anything that I've done. It wasn't because I somehow deserved it but because before the foundation of the world, you knew and have determined to display and bestow your love on the undeserving. [01:06:01]

We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Would you give us a heart of gratitude that just knows how to say these simple words out of humility? thank you. Thank you God at your kind. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for your patience with us and may we Father as we engage the world that you call us to display the same love that we receive from our heavenly Father. [01:06:37]

I'm confident in saying that probably there are few assignments in life that are more significant, even more sacred than shaping the next generation. [00:00:21]

Our worth our value and and our our our significance is in the fact that we belong to God and God loves us he sees us. [00:08:04]

We're wired. We are wired. It's ingrained in our nature to feel like hard effort or hard work equals reward. That first place earns the prize. Latecomers should just wait their turn. [00:14:14]

He needed to understand that eternal life is not something you can earn. It's only something that can be received. [00:22:53]

You can never do anything to make him love you anymore. You can never do anything so bad that he loves you any less. This is the beauty of the security that we have in Jesus. [00:49:22]