The word “UNKNOWN” caught my eye as I was flipping pages. Pages between Esther and Job. I guess I was unaware we weren’t sure who wrote this masterpiece we call Job.
At first I thought, “Oh, that’s too bad. Because this Book is brilliant. They deserve the credit.” Then I heard what my head said. Who deserves the credit?!?
I circled the word and found myself writing in the margin:
I may be unknown, but my words matter.
Yes, Lord. Let’s keep it that way. May my words speak Your name. Not mine. May my writing be so that the author is forgotten, but what is remembered is You. Your glory. Your grace. Your love. Your works.
I am but a vessel. Your handiwork. Nothing more than a piece of clay. Nothing less than a masterpiece.
And when people look at me, may they see who made me. May Your style resonate so that my face is forgotten. For all they see is You. I cannot think of a greater legacy than that which leaves Your fingerprints on everything I’ve left behind.
Lord, make me unknown.
Known only to You.
And while You’re at it,
can You make me okay with that, too?
~~~~~~~~~~
I cannot tell you how thankful I am for doing this Bible in 90 days challenge. Aurie, thank you for encouraging me to do this.
It’s reasons like this I fall behind some days as I get so wrapped up in what God is showing me. But it makes me want more. It brings excitement for each new day of exploring His Word in this type of format.
And for this Thankful Thursday, that is at the top of my list.
Because I’ve never had a post less than 200 words, here are some other things that made my ThanksLiving list this week as I continue to count with Ann:
- Sounds of snow melting off roof. Like grace pouring down.
- Safe travels
- The comforts of goulash
- Being able to stay-at-home
- Brief moments of grace (Ezra 9:8)
- That in spite of us, there’s hope (Ezra 10:2)
- A good night’s rest
- God = great power, a strong hand, and tender love (Nehemiah 1:10)
- Wedding ring found
- A 57 degree day in March. Unbelievable!
- Trader Joe’s natural creamy peanut butter
- Doing Pinterest crafts with my boy
How about you? What are you thankful for today? Are you okay with being unknown? Will you join me in striving to leave a legacy filled with Him? I’d love to hear.
Thanks for sharing your time with me.
Simply striving,
Nikki
Am linking up to:
simplystriving 
I love your take on this – and yes! May we be known by Him and to Him. It really doesn’t matter what others think they know about us – only He knows us completely.
Great list of blessings – I so wish we had a trader joe’s near us!!
Thank you, Aurie. So blessed to have Him know me fully…I think. 😉
Oh, I wish you had a trader joe’s, too! My life is so much easier with one…
Hugs to you, friend!
Just listened to / watched Lecrae’s “Background” again this morning…I want to be the background! Struggling and striving for this, your post has encouraged me! http://youtu.be/xsz6K4Wqv24
Oh, I had forgotten that song! Thank you so much for sharing it with me, Lauren. Yes, that’s worth striving for indeed! So thrilled you stopped by today–thank you!
All for Him,
Nikki
this just might be my favorite of your posts! such wonderful thoughts!!
“I cannot think of a greater legacy than that which leaves Your fingerprints on everything I’ve left behind.” amen!
“Lord, make me unknown. Known only to You. And while You’re at it, can You make me okay with that, too?” i am going to strive with you to daily pray this…especially the last part! 🙂
So thrilled you’re with me on this one, Ginger! Thank you! I’ve written it out in my prayer journal and am going to strive to pray it daily…
Thanks for encouraging me today!
Wow, Nikki, this really struck a chord with me. Thank you for reminding me it’s not about me – it’s about Him.
Blessings friend,
~Rosann
Thank you for stopping by, Rosann! I think I need this reminder every day. It’s easy to forget, isn’t it. Thank you for blessing me today, friend! (and I loved seeing you over at Barbie’s today! Yes, eating out and the sodium–those are HUGE discoveries!) we’ll have to chat about it sometime.
Hugs to you!
I am with you on this one! He write through me, and that’s the way I want it! Encouraging words this morning!!!
Am loving the company of you being with me on this one, Katie! Thank you!
I’m thinking this is a huge piece to becoming less…..
All for Him,
Nikki
I love being in on this one with BOTH of you lovely ladies! Thanks for letting me join you on this journey of becoming less so He can be more. Of being seen less so He can be seen more. Love you gals.
Love and hugs to you, friend! So blessed by you : )
Nikki, this is beautifully written! In the blogging world it seems easy to get caught up in the numbers (blog visits and comments left), but if God reaches one person with His love and grace, all the other numbers don’t matter. I keep reminding myself why I write and started my blog – for Him. In the process, my own faith has grown exponentially, and if others are touched, it’s because of Him, not me.
In Christ,
Laura
Oh yes, Laura. That’s exactly where my mind went to–blogging stats (and I’ll be talking about it more next week I think). I’m with you — striving to remind myself why I’m writing in the first place. Thank you!
All for Him,
Nikki
Hi Nikki,
I love the thoughts you expressed here. I often think how too-bad it is that so much spotlight has to go on the artist, the writer, the singer — kind of making everyone upstage God. So much beauty has been produced by unknowns, and unknowns who I think were usually fine with being that. One of my favorite hymns is “Be Thou My Vision,” written by … yes, “Unknown.”
Yes, Sylvia. So true. I’ve often wondered why we always ask “who sings that or who wrote that” before we allow ourselves to linger long on the lyrics… I smiled when you brought up one of my favorite hymns. Did a whole paper on that masterpiece in college! Might have to talk about that vision on of these days…
So thrilled you stopped by, Sylvia! Thanks for warming my heart!
All for Him,
Nikki
“May my writing be so that the author is forgotten, but what is remembered is You.”
This is my heart’s desire too.
Nikki, this is an amazing post. I love the connection your drew. Beautiful.
You are such a blessing to me, Denise. Thank you. So encouraged to know this is what you want, too. (and wow–it’s harder than it sounds)
Beautiful Nikki. Yes, I wouldn’t mind being the “unknown”.
Just wanted to thank you personally though for always blessing me with your thoughts at my place….
Yes, all for Him!
Oh, hugs to you, my faithful friend! I will always know you, Charina. but when I see your name, I see Him. : )
Thank you, Nikki, for being used by God today as He and I were having a conversation this morning about what He wants from my writing…The answer: I don’t know but all He wants for now is my heart of surrender to follow Him…joining you in praying that our writing/ our lives will all point to Him – the true author of ALL of it…love you and your heart for Him 🙂
Sweet Dolly, I’m so thrilled we are on this journey together. And I’m so glad you continue to talk to Him about what He wants to do through you. Your heart of surrender inspires me daily and my journey would be harder without you in it. So thankful for you!
Oh, Nikki, this post just touched my heart. The humility you seek is truly what I think the Lord wants of us when He says to “pick up your cross and follow Me.” I remember when I decided to quit work and stay home to raise our children. People actually told me that I “wasn’t going to be doing anything worthwhile,” and “wouldn’t make a name for myself” or “have an impact.” If I could raise souls for Him and teach my children to truly love the Lord, then I will have accomplished more than those written about in history books. And, like you said, it won’t matter who I was, where I lived or my name. Many blessings to you, my friend. Thank you so much for your beautiful posts!
Lisa, I always love your encouragement! Thank you! you always make me feel like I’m doing something right 😉
I’m with you. the legacy we’ll leave with our children, being there, showing Him to them, is worth more than a paycheck and a higher title any day of the week. It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had and has had the biggest rewards. I don’t need anyone to know that. For God knows. and He won’t ignore it. We are so blessed! Hugs to you!
I loved doing the B90 challenge. I hope to do one again this year.
I also really like how you did a thankful list. I need to actually physically write thankful things down as I think about them.
Oh, it is life-changing, Sherri. To actually write them down. For when you can’t seem to find one thing to be thankful for, you can look back and reflect. Give it a try!
Always love when you stop by. thank you!
May my writing be so that the author is forgotten, but what is remembered is You. Your glory. Your grace. Your love. Your works.
Nikki, this made me cry.
I’m so thrilled you took the time to read it, Heather. Thank you.
I’m needing to pray it every day. Remind myself. But I’m striving…as it’s worth striving for indeed!
All for Him (and hugs to you),
Nikki
goulash does sound comforting!!
so glad the wedding ring was found!! that happened to me once, too. I was playing in the leaves with the kids and it fell off!! fortunately a neighbor had a metal detector!
Oh, I’m so glad you found yours, too! what a resourceful neighbor! Fortunately, I found it shortly after I started looking. So relieved. . . Thanks for stopping by, Theresa!
Found you via Ann Voskamp’s site as I was linking up today. The words “author unknown” caught my, and here I am. Now I’m sighing and taking in the beauty of this post and your list of gifts for this week. Sighing because you’ve brought my heart to a new place. Thanks, Nikki!
So thrilled you stopped by, Sherrey, thank you! Am so blessed by you today. May you delight in Him this week!
All for Him,
Nikki
I love this: “May my writing be so that the author is forgotten, but what is remembered is You.” It hit home. Whenever I feel compelled to check my feed count or to hope that someone out there is following my blog, I want to remember these words and hold them close to my heart. This has become a personal mantra now – thank you!
It is so easy to get wrapped up in our status, isn’t it. When all that matters is our status with Him. Striving to focus on Him with you, Carrie!
Thank you for stopping by and sharing with me! What a blessing you are!
All for Him,
Nikki
I love your heart in this… and the prayer offered… just lovely…
His eyes on us, knowing Him, and being known by Him… it is enough, isn’t it? Even though I struggle with it sometimes… feeling invisible and small… I find freedom from those niggling thoughts at the feet of my Abba King…
Thank you for this… it was beautiful.
Yes–it IS enough. Why do we so often forget… His gaze upon us is more than enough…
Thank you for sharing with me today, Michele. So blessed to see your face here again. Thank you!