Being Known by God

This morning, I woke up after battling a stomach virus that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. As I eased into what used to be my normal routine—listening to the word and praying— when the Lord caught my attention in Galatians 4:9 As Paul is trying to get the Galatians back on track he reminds them that they know God but even more so, they are known by God and in that moment God reminded me that I too am known by Him.

It hit me like a warm hug because, lately, life has felt more like my hair is on fire and I can't find the extinguisher A short while ago, I accepted a job that seemed like a good idea at the time. You know the type: “Be salt and light,” they said. “It’ll be a great opportunity,” they said. Well, I’ve mostly just been feeling salty—thankfully, not to other people, but still, not exactly living my salt-and-light best life.

This job has disrupted everything, including my relationship with God. The precious time I used to spend praying and reading the Word has been replaced with a mad dash to get to work on time. And if you’ve noticed, my blog posts have been…sporadic (okay, non-existent). That’s not just disappointing to me—it makes me sad.

Then there’s my home. Normally, the day after Thanksgiving, my home becomes a winter wonderland, complete with lights, stockings, and the faint smell of cookies in the air. This year? Nothing. No decorations, no joy, no energy. For the first time ever, I don’t feel like decorating. And my yearly big plans for Christmas Eve? Well, I’ll be working. So, hosting my usual celebration? Unlikely unless a miracle happens.

I’ve been trying to convince myself, “We have to do what we have to do,” but honestly, this mess? I created it. Yet, even in the chaos I’ve caused, God knows me. He knows the desires of my heart—how much I want to bake cookies, start a podcast, and share His hope with others. Right now what I really need is for Christmas to be moved to February, so I can catch up on my life. Is that too much to ask?

The real question that I need to answer - is whether I should continue in this position because it’s brought more disruption than direction. My plans, carefully written and color-coded in multiple planners (yes, with an S), have been completely detonated. No judging please -

Do I think this job is from God? Honestly, no. It felt like a good idea, and I did pray about it, but deep down, I thought I could do it all. Write, bake, and work 40 hours a week? Sure! Cue the imaginary cape: Super Cookie Lady to the rescue! Spoiler alert: The cape’s not working.

God has reminded me over and over that He is my provision. But instead of relying on Him, I’ve been trying to provide for myself. And let me just say, I’m doing a terrible job. I’m tired, frustrated, and juggling more than I can handle.

But here’s the thing: no matter how off course I feel, "I am known by God". He knows exactly what’s going on, even when I’m not so sure.

Then, just when I felt completely overwhelmed because of my life decisions, a dear friend reached out. Hearing from her felt like a balm to my soul. As we caught up, she shared stories of her own journey and the book she’s writing. It felt as if no time had passed, and her words lifted my faith in ways I didn’t realize I needed.

This reminded me of something vital for our lives: we are called to encourage each other daily (Hebrews 3:13). God knows when we need a little boost, and He often sends it through His people. That conversation rekindled a spark in me—not because my circumstances changed, but because I was reminded that God is present, even in this mess that I think I made.

So here’s the takeaway: being known by God isn’t just a comforting idea—it’s the foundation of our lives. He sees our struggles, our exhaustion, and our dreams. He knows when we’ve over-committed and when we’re too stubborn to admit it. And in all of that, He loves us.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, let this truth settle in your heart: You are known by God. He sees you, He loves you, and He has a plan for you. It might not look like the one in your planner(s), but it’s better because it comes from Him.

And who knows? Maybe I’ll still get the decorations up—February Christmas has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

For now, I’ll lean into the truth that God is my provision, my peace, and my guide. And if He can handle my mess, He can handle yours too.

In faith and friendship,

Maria