When I was a young girl, I liked doing cartwheels. Maybe all young girls do. I wasn’t very good at it though. I am definitely not a gymnast.

I do remember wanting my mom to notice my cartwheel prowess one day. She was at the kitchen sink washing dishes, and I was in the yard practicing my cartwheels. I thought I was getting pretty good so I would yell, “Mom, watch this!” She would oblige, but of course, that cartwheel would be a failure. She’d say, “Nice!” and go back to the dishes.

Frustrated, I’d yell, “Wait, keep looking! That wasn’t it.” I’d try again until I got it right, only to look up and see her face pointed at the sink instead of at me and my impressive skills. She’d missed the good one.

I’d yell, “Mom, watch!” over and over. She was getting annoyed but continued to try. She would say, “Nice job, Honey” at all the wrong moments.

Eventually I was satisfied that she had seen some of my most flawless cartwheels, so I’d move on to something else.

We all seek approval and encouragement from people we respect, love, and admire. It gives us courage, strength, and confidence to keep striving, growing, and learning.

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭11,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Seeking the approval of other people is often futile. They are distracted like my mom was. Or their priorities don’t line up with mine. Or they have a different agenda or some other reason to withhold praise. Or maybe they have seen better, are tired, or just don’t care.

God is the only one who sees me all the time. He is the only one who cares enough to encourage me every time, to provide real strength. He is the only one in a position to enjoy my efforts without distraction, hidden agendas, or human frailties. Thankfully, He’s also the only one whose approval is really worth having.

Hopefully, I spend my days doing good and loving things that make me want to yell, “Hey God, watch this!”

Dear God, thank you for caring about my life. Thank you for shining your face on me. I want to live up to your standards but am so grateful for your forgiveness and encouragement when I get it all wrong. Give me strength to keep trying.