Im Proud of You
WARNING: Transparent Post.
Growing up, I never heard the words, “I’m proud of you.” We were hardworking, poor farmers. Secrets held us together as a family, and bound by that secrecy, we lived two lives: the one the community saw and the daily life we lived. There wasn’t room for cheering one another on except in ways that fit within the family narrative. Don’t get me wrong, there were moments of peace and even happiness, but mostly there was an undercurrent of hardship and waiting for the next dysfunctional episode in our family.
Keeping secrets and working hard to make a living were the top priorities of our family. There wasn’t room for niceties as “Good job, we are proud of you!” With this explanation, I completed a goal that has been a 40-plus-year project one month ago. I graduated at 65 with my MA in Ministry to Women from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Throughout the last few weeks, many of you have said to me, “I’m so proud of you!”
Honestly, I have had a physical reaction to this statement. I’ve wanted to downplay it. I’ve wanted to make it seem like not such a big deal. Even typing this, I can confess that when I put this accomplishment down on paper, this fuss doesn’t need to be. BUT, it is a big deal.
I googled, “What do people mean when they say to you, I’m proud of you? ‘” – Google answered: “The speaker admires your achievements, acknowledges your hard work, and values your character. It is a validation of your effort, growth, and resilience. “ One day, a dear friend said to me, ‘What if, when someone says, ‘I’m proud of you,’ you would receive it as if the Lord is telling you He is proud of you and allow some healing to come to your heart. I have done that, and it has been such an exciting part of this recent journey!
You see, I am not afraid of hard work. I love the work I do with ministry wives and women in leadership, but I haven’t always thought I belonged at the table. In recent years, I came to a place of healing, where I knew I belonged and that the Creator of the universe had invited me to the table. I just didn’t know that I needed anyone to validate this part of my story. Because the truth is, most of us long to hear the words, “I’m proud of you!”
There is something powerful about hearing the words, “I’m proud of you.” Whether from a parent, spouse, friend, mentor, or leader, those words can deeply encourage us. They affirm that our efforts have been seen and our perseverance has mattered.
Yet many of us spend our lives longing to hear those words and wondering if we are enough. We work harder, serve longer, sacrifice more, and still question whether we have measured up.
Please press in, the good news of the gospel is that our worth is not found in human approval but in God’s love. While people may overlook our faithfulness, God never does. He sees every unseen act of service, every tear cried in prayer, every difficult step of obedience, and every sacrifice made for His glory.
For those of us serving in ministry, there are many seasons when encouragement is scarce. You may pour into others and receive little acknowledgment in return. You may wonder if your work in ministry really matters. Does it count? Are you making a difference? But GOD sees. He knows. He remembers.
One day, all of us serving, who have trusted Christ and looked to our Abba for true recognition and through it all remained faithful, will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The applause of heaven will outweigh every earthly affirmation we have ever desired.
Be reminded today, with me, that God delights in your obedience. We aren’t perfect, and we won’t get it right all the time, but because you and I belong to Him, He is proud of us!
So maybe no one else has said it lately, “I’m proud of you!” Let this be as if the Lord of the universe is saying it to you and….
Keep serving.
Keep loving.
Keep trusting.
Keep obeying.
He is cheering us on in our obedience!
“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” — Matthew 25:23 (ESV)
Prayer:
Father, thank You that my value is not determined by the opinions of others but by Your love for me. Help me to serve faithfully, whether anyone notices or not. Remind me that You see every act of obedience and every sacrifice made for Your kingdom. May I live for Your approval alone and look forward to the day when I hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
