A few weeks ago, I met with my boss. Not my manager, not her manager, but the Big Boss.

My company’s not that big, so I’ve talked with him many times over the past few years. But this meeting was different. I was putting in notice to leave the company.

For about 30 minutes I sat in his office, nodding my head and mmm-hmm-ing, as he lectured me about how to behave in the weeks between giving notice and leaving. He reminded me that my actions in this crucial time would determine how the management team remembered me; in other words, how they would respond if contacted for a reference check.

I understood why he would have these concerns – in general. But with me? Had I done something to make him think I’d slack off during this interim period or badmouth the company while I was still there?

As my husband put it when I told him about the meeting later, Had I acted like that in the previous two and a half years?

After thinking about this meeting for a few days, I realized that my boss’s lecture wasn’t the part that bothered me. It was the fact that he didn’t KNOW me.

• He didn’t know that I have kept my mouth pretty much shut for more than two years of being less than satisfied with my job.
• He didn’t know that I take pride in my work, even when it bores me, and I will do my best right up to my last day.
• He didn’t know that quitting a job to be a stay-at-home mom is completely out of character for me.
• He didn’t know that I’ve agonized over this decision and desperately wanted a chance to explain.

But those things are understandable. After all, he’s the CEO of an international company. He shouldn’t be bothered with the details of one employee’s exit. Still, I was hurt.

• He should have known that I did great work while I was at his company.
• He should have known that I could have done more if only I’d been given the chance.
• He should have known that I’ve done great things in the past and would jump at the opportunity to do them again.
• He should have known . . . me.

But he didn’t. And that’s okay. Because after I [finally] calmed down and got over the whole thing, I remembered: God knows me.

Did you catch that? The Creator of the entire universe knows ME. The One who knows all knows ME.

How amazing is that?!

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14

I don’t need to wave my resume around like a banner. I don’t need to take credit for every project I’ve every worked on. I don’t need to defend my honor – or, at least, my work ethic – in an exit interview.

God knows who I am. Even if my boss doesn’t.

He knows you, too. He knows you better than your best friend, your husband, your children, your therapist or your priest. He even knows you better than your mom. And He loves you anyway.

No, He loves you BECAUSE He knows you.

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
Jeremiah 31:3

Have you ever felt like nobody gets you? Do you know that God has known you since the beginning, that He created you, that He loves you with an everlasting love?

And He will never stop sending out just the right people to minister to you. Go on, tell us about them! We’re all ears.

By Mary,  Giving Up on Perfect

Leave a Comment