Always Watching…

When your face says a little more than you mean it to… when the tone of your voice gives a little too much insight into the bad attitude you’re trying to pretend isn’t there… when you just don’t seem to act like that something or other is really that big of a deal to you…. Everything you do & say, whether purposely or subconsciously… tells others what is important to you… tells others about who you are.

If you say God is important to you, but you only mention Him at church or in prayer before a meal… what do you think that really communicates?

When you say you love a family member, but you can’t seem to spend significant time with them without being on your phone… what do you think that really communicates?

I could go on & on with examples, we all know of them… whether we’re the witness or the culprit.

And the point of this week’s post isn’t to shame you on it either. It’s to help us see a different way to live. Gain perspective.

Are You Perfect? I’m Not.

None of us are perfect. We all give a facial expression from time to time that slips out how we’re really feeling. Or a tone of voice with a little more sass than you intended. Or feeling so zoned out & exhausted that even one more interaction just feels like too much in that particular moment, even for someone you love.

We’re not machines. We’re people. We don’t always immediately react how we ought to or have the perfect attitude as we ought to… love how we ought to… represent God how we ought to.

But we’re being watched all the same.

What are people seeing in you?

Not a Call to be Fake… But to be Intentional

Now, this point is not being made in order to push us all into some unrealistic pressures to achieve a perception of perfection… but rather a call to be mindful… to be intentional.

People observe us every day. We represent Jesus Christ, our LORD, whether we’re intentionally setting out to do so that day or not.

God doesn’t need us to fake the smile… fake the perfection… hide our weaknesses… but to use our mistakes to point to our need of Him… to demonstrate a life of surrendering our imperfections & struggles to the One Who holds our HOPE.

Not perfection… none of us have any hope of achieving that (& we all know that, no matter how hard you may try to appear so)… but intentionally living a surrendered & submitted life, for God’s help, to live a life that displays (& shouts even) His glory to a world that passes by you each & every day.

Not to be “perfect”… but to be intentional.

What Do They See About You?

If a stranger who sees you regularly at the town store were to try to describe you as a person, just simply by outside observation, how would they describe you? Patient? Rushed? Rude? Kind? Cheerful? Stressed out? Relaxed? Peaceful? On a mission? Gracious?

If a young child were to describe what matters most to you, what would they say? Your Bible? Your phone? Your shows? Church? Bible Studies? Fashion, sports, shopping, etc? Sharing the gospel? Helping others? Free time to yourself? Them?

What are you putting on display to the world? Even unknowingly?

When you die, what will people say was most important to you in life? Would they even think to mention Jesus?

You are communicating to others every day, without even saying a word.

So, what are YOU communicating to the world around you?

You Are Being Watched

Would they know Jesus from you? Would they witness you taking your weaknesses to God for help? Would they see you shutting down &/or shutting others out from stress? Would they see comfort & ease as your idols? Would they know they matter to you? Would they see God’s glory displayed through your day-to-day life? Would they say you value the well-being of others?

How are you living for the glory of God? What do others see in you?

Shine HOPE by taking every thought captive, making it obedient to Christ, by continuously asking for God’s help in how you: interact with others, treat others, how you react & respond, how you love others & how you love Jesus.

To God be the glory, forever & ever, AMEN.

Coming Next Week

Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.

Share with friends & family… & SUBSCRIBE by “Joining My Tribe,” so you never miss a week!

As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.

A Note from Michelle:

(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)

This blog/website has been running for 7 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3

If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3

Also, make sure to “Join My Tribe” by adding your email to the top bar & clicking “Join My Tribe”. This gains you access to an extra weekly dose of encouragement from me in your inbox (make sure to check your other inbox folders), along with the link to each week’s new post! I can’t wait to do this journey together!!

Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

December 2025 “HOPE MAIL” (INDIA)

FOR A LIMITED TIME – Only available during the month of December! Enjoy free shipping and 10% off your Hope Mail package when you subscribe every month!       

Your purchase of December Hope Mail provides one day of school for a girl in an area of extreme poverty.     

Featured in this month’s Hope Mail is the Gilded Crest Earrings. These detailed, hand beaded earrings are handcrafted by women in a workshop committed to fighting child marriage and creating dignified jobs for women in India. Each gold-tone earring uses traditional embroidery and hand beading details to show off our Artisan Partners craftsmanship featuring pearl accents.

SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!

How You Can Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support My Website:

#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.

Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!

Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!