Seen By Your Father

Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 

Seen By Your Father 

Returning home and we are known
by sight and sound and our very breath
we who grieve and ache in silence
find our selves embraced and wanted.

We are those who are not highly regarded
our hidden prayers do not receive fame
we are not celebrated on any screens
we are beloved children of a loving father.

For some it is not enough to be loved
they need celebrity and sensation daily
that will never feed their deepest need
and will never be heard in deep silence.

For we are known in our deep silence
 loved beyond measure in the whispers
the prayers we say as we scrub and toil
the words we mouth as we serve others.