The Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to Be Noticed

The book itself is fine. From a digital standpoint...AWFUL. Please do not purchase the digital version!! Every few 'pages' there is a page or two missing then, somewhere a few 'pages' later it picks up again REPEATING much of what was just read. It's VERY frustrating, to the point of not being interested in the content of the book. Whoever is responsible for converting this book to a digital version owes this author an apology. If I could get my money back from this digital purchase I would go to a BOOKSTORE to purchase the traditional version.

Have read other books that engaged me to think about daily life and take joy in the blessings and deal with the rest. Maybe it was all about her life and just lacked depth to help put some thought into actions.

I just finished reading this book for the second time. It was so meaningful to me that reading it just once was not enough! So much truth and light and so much to think about and savor. Our ordinary life is truly enough and is exactly where God is working.

What a beautiful message of finding God in hidden seasons. Love how Sara shares her own personal stories and makes them relatable to the reader who is any season. Thanks for the reminder that God loves us, sees us and seeks us out in the hiddeness.

Sara Hagerty pours her heart out to the readers in a beautifully writte, spirit filled book about her ongoing relationship with God.
Highly recommend this book to anyone who is starting out in their walk with the Lord and others who are contemplating adoption.

Unseen is a book intent on displaying the beauty found in hiddenness – the place of trial or unacknowledged efforts – where God tucks us away. Sara Hagerty shares personal stories of how seasons of hiddenness gave her eyes to see who God is and who He sees her as. She focuses on the story of Mary of Bethany who “wasted” her prized oil on Jesus and uses it as an image for how we should dwell on living for Christ rather than the recognition of others. She prompts you to believe that God brings us into hiddenness sometimes “so that we might see another side of Him, this God who looks deeply and knowingly into us when no one else is looking or noticing, and come alive under that eye” (Page 23).

One critique for Hagerty’s book is the absence of direct practical application opportunities and her heavy handedness with her stories. Sometimes I craved further explications from the stories she told to draw you into the biblical backing of her thoughts. But, overall, she gives you a biblical lens through which to see your moments of struggle – as opportunities to know God better and see yourself through His eyes.

When I learned in fifth grade that Helen Keller had graduated from college summa cum laude, I made it my goal to do the same. As it happened, those little Latin words that mean “with the highest distinction” did actually end up being embossed on the white parchment of my degree, thereby setting me on a course of high expectations for the “distinction” that was somehow going to be my destiny.

It should come, then, as no surprise to anyone that I packed that philosophy of life into the diaper bag I traded my briefcase in for after our first child was born. (Am I the only one who was surprised to discover you can’t get a baby to adhere to a schedule by sheer force of will?) If only Unseen by Sara Hagerty had been written 24 years ago when I embarked upon the ordinary days of unremarkable tasks and (often) mind-numbing routine that go with motherhood.

I am thankful that, somewhere along the way, it became clear to me that there is an unseen and un-celebrated beauty to everyday acts of service, that productivity can not always be measured in the short run, and that there is a chasing after God that happens in the dim light of a rocking chair session with a fussy baby that is completely unavailable in the spotlight of recognition and acclaim.

Unseen is the product of Sara’s collision course with the beautiful “waste” of a poured out life that hides behind hardship, disappointment, challenging circumstances, or the simple routine of an obedient following. We will never know the comfort of God as our “refuge and strength” until we come to a place in our lives in which we need to take refuge. It’s clear that “our hidden places aren’t signs of God’s displeasure or punishment,” but rather places in which God intends to teach our hearts to sing. (33)

There are innumerable lessons from Scripture presented in Unseen for living in the secret places with the God who sees, but I have teased out five of my favorite insights to carry forward into these mothering years:

1. Productivity is not a pre-requisite for God’s approval.

He values intimate conversation, faithfulness in the repetitive duties, and humility in performing the unappreciated tasks that maintain life. Sara found that she had “a harder time trying to imagine what He might be thinking about[her] during the hours of the day when [she] wasn’t doing anything tangible for Him.” (19) The god news is, He’s already on your side, and there’s nothing you can do or produce that will make Him love you more –or less.

2. We are made by God to be seen and celebrated.

He has called us by name, and we love the sound of approval, but there comes a dissonance when a “misplaced desire” for recognition puts us on a path in which acclaim and acknowledgement become the focal point, rather than the glorious by-product of a relationship with God.

Note the intimacy of Psalm 139:1-3:

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.”
3. When God hides us, His intention is that we will find Him in the hidden-ness.

Sara’s season of hidden-ness began with a twelve-year journey of infertility. She had never entertained the idea that her life would be anything but fruitful on every front. In her busy ministry years, she saw results with many lives impacted by the gospel. Finding herself in a dead end job with little human contact, she felt “sidetracked,” sidelined, and walked a completely unfamiliar path. As she stumbled along, she heard the voice of God whisper, “This is where you become great — on the inside.”

4. Pain is a thin place where the glory of God shines through.

Sara’s pain drove her to a place of finding joy only in God. As she suffered and wondered, she lived her way into a deep belief that the love of God is real and valuable. Like the psalmist, she felt His nearness in her broken heart.

5. What appears to be an absolute waste can translate into a beautiful, extravagant hidden gift to Jesus.

In Matthew 26, Mary of Bethany is criticized for her lavish love gift of scented oil, poured out on Jesus’ feet.

“Why this waste?” they asked, with judgment oozing from every pore.

Little did they know that Jesus was going to view this apparent “waste” as precious, pronouncing that her act would go down in history as the right choice at the right time.

Sara’s mothering heart has found its home with six children, four of whom were adopted from Africa — and two who came to her naturally! Learning to mother children with needs bigger than she can fathom has deepened Sara’s dependency upon God and heightened her realization that the real need of her heart will be met, not by greater discipline, but in friendship with God. She encourages her readers to cultivate a lifestyle of beautiful waste, poured out in love and chasing the only thing worth being concerned about: God’s deep and abiding pleasure in you.

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This book was provided by Zondervan through the BookLookBloggers program in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This book has a beautiful cover, matched with one of my favourite themes, the blessedness of being unseen. Sara Hagerty helps us develop a new way to approach being un-applauded, unnoticed and unrecognised. Instead of regarding it as falling short of our potential, she invites us to see that being hidden from sight is often the best place to be.

Hagerty starts off explaining how she was sucked into the trap of thinking the way society prompts us to. When a friend spotted her working in a gift shop, she felt embarrassed to be caught doing something with no scope for impact in her own opinion. Only when Hagerty stepped back to reconsider did she realise the hidden, personal growth she'd experienced in that place had been phenomenal. The quiet gift shop turned out to be the ideal hothouse to nurture her.

Our era reminds me of a garden in which every flower cranes forward for attention, notoriety and applause, and the fact that there are millions of them makes it seem crazy. Well, Hagerty reminds us that we feel this urge for light because God has made us with a desire to be seen and celebrated. We do like to hear our own names and enjoy the flush of satisfaction that follows a flash of attention. It reinforces that we matter in the grand scheme of things, so we needn't feel guilty. Trying to extinguish our desire for praise and recognition isn't the answer, because it isn't a bad thing. Where we err is most often in the direction we tend to look for praise and accolades.

Instead of craving the eyes, opinions and applause of other people, she suggests we simply remember to look to God instead, who knew us from the start, and His kind eye is always upon us. The switch of focus may be enough to relieve us instantly.

But to keep the garden analogy going, Hagerty's book makes it clear that we often tend the wrong plants. We carefully watch the growth of our reputations, success and achievements, and forget about nurturing a good heart - while this, in fact, is the only shoot that really matters. It's a great reminder that God doesn't look at things humans look at, and if we nurture loving hearts, well, that's all we really need to worry about.

Sara Hagerty offers frequent botanical analogies herself, urging us to shift our attention from our showy, leafy branches, where it's so easy to focus our attention, to our hidden roots instead. In other words, we could change the emphasis from our visible work for God to our secret, unseen life in Him. And she has a number of examples where this sort of thinking has played out in own life, with her husband and several adopted children.

Overall, the book left me with the feeling that while some of us may be born to God's showpiece, others are born to be His secrets, and both are equally significant.

Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for my review copy.

If I had a yellow highlighter when reading, I think a good quarter of the book would be yellow. Sara Hagerty writes on a subject I rarely have read about in today's Christian living books but where I live... what if the place God has you in is unseen and apparently unappreciated by people?

Sara writes about infertility, adding to the family through International adoption, and then having two naturally born children. That story alone would be worth reading. However, the real backbone of this book is how God often puts us in places where we are unseen by the world to get our attention, teach us, and use us in the capacity He desires.

I loved this book and plan to reread sections of it soon. It is perhaps most needed by those of us who struggle with living most days in the unseen places. An important message for the world we live in today.

Unseen was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

In this social-media driven world, the temptation toward self-proclamation is nearly irresistible. Everyone wants to tell their stories in perfect pictures. When we read others’ social feeds, the monster of comparison threatens, “You’re not good enough because you are unseen.”

God thinks it’s perfectly fine, even preferred, for us to feel unseen. In the hidden places, he meets us most personally and profoundly. Yes, he calls us to service and to invest our talents, sometimes publicly. But the real work in our hearts occurs in the hidden spaces. In the mundane, tiring, and even boring activities all of us undertake every day.

Sara Hagerty‘s first book Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet reads like a memoir. I liked that book, but I found this one even more satisfying. Unseen probes the depths of obscurity with lyrical prose and teaches us to develop friendship with God in those quiet places.

Sara shares intimate, everyday stories from her life as a wife and mother. She tells about her own seasons of feeling unseen and not used to her full potential. I can relate to feeling that way and I appreciate her positive encouragement to view unseen seasons as opportunities rather than liabilities. This is a book I’m savoring slowly in my current time of relative obscurity.

Jesus worked in obscurity for nearly 30 years before he began his public ministry. He used that time to ground himself deeply in his relationship with God and with the people he loved. If Jesus embraced his obscurity, I need to do so as well.

Selfies. Daily snapshots of the highlights of our day on Facebook and Instagram. Time out with friends gushing over the best aspects of our life while trying to hide the things that aren't as glamorous. These are the things that fill our lives and what often dictate what people think about us as well as how perceive us and our lives. Because the visible is always out front, we often spend the most time making sure what is seen is worthy of praise even if it means filling our time up to the point of never finding time for rest or pursuing a deeper relationship with God. We want to make sure what we do with our lives counts and who numbers what cannot be seen?

Sara Hagerty, author of "Every Bitter Thing is Sweet", extends an invitation to pursue something different than what is visible. In her new book, "Unseen", she offers up a more fulfilling way to live- pursuing what is hidden. While not often what is known or noticed, the secret place is where a relationship with God is forged and where we hear the sweetness of His voice above all others. There we taste and see the goodness and grace in ways we cannot while we are busily pursuing productivity for Him. She accompanies this message of hidden-ness by taking a look at the character of Mary of Bethany in the Bible. This woman was a friend of Jesus, and while others followed Him looking to do great things or even do noticed and meaningful things for Him, she devoted herself to knowing Him. She sat eagerly at His feet- desperate to be with Him- even while her sister criticized her for not helping her in her work. Mary also chose to worship Him and display her deep love for Him when she let down her hair, poured out precious and expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus and anointed His feet with her hair. Mary was one who was devoted to Jesus more than she was to approval, compliments, or even to other relationships. She was one who lived a life filled with what Sara calls "beautiful waste." A "beautiful waste" often looks so undesirable to those looking in. In fact, no one can see what is taking place because happens only as we hide- hide in Jesus rather than performing for Him where others can see. It's getting to the roots of our relationship with God rather than centering on the branches and fruit that are so often the focus of why we do what we do.

Our culture, even in the church, is one that elevates productivity and fruitfulness. We like to be able to measure progress and success and evaluate our worth based on what we see. The hidden life with God is different. It centers on abiding, stillness, listening, and waiting. It isn't always exciting or noticed, but it is where satisfaction and worth will be found. The more we spend time setting our time and affection on Jesus the more the things of this world- the value and approval we crave, our worth, even our fruitfulness- will dim as we listen to Him, as we adore Him, as we grow in our love for Him. It doesn't seem like much will come from these activities, but, in Jesus' upside down economy, value isn't found in what we do, how we present yourself, or even the activities we fill our life with. It's found in who we love. And, when we love Jesus above all else and pursue a relationship with Him, suddenly we can't help but see Him everywhere. We become aware of the ways He is at work in and around us, and when our eyes are opened to His beauty and grace, our lips will never cease to find reasons to praise and adore Him no matter what the circumstances of life will bring.

Spending time with God in the secret, hidden place is not something that is automatic. In fact it takes discipline, practice, and time. We have to fight our constant desire to be seen and known. I love that Sara doesn't automatically say that desire is wrong. Instead, she reminds us that we were made to crave those things, but the only satisfaction we will find is in Jesus, the only One Who truly sees and truly knows. He alone defines our value and our worth and He alone can help us rid our lives of the lies the swirl in our heads until His words alone speak to us the truth of who we are in Him.

One aspect of Sara's books that I love is the " For your continued pursuit" section at the end of each chapter. She lists Scripture to read and meditate on to draw you closer to Jesus. Not many authors take you back to seeing Jesus in His Word and by doing this, Sara faithfully draws attention where it needs to be- to Jesus' Words and not her own. I have really enjoyed being on the launch team for this book. It has been a unique experience as it has been filled with the Word and prayer everywhere. My heart has been stirred to continue to pursue this "beautiful waste" of time with Jesus because while others may not see it it truly is the only pursuit that has any value at all. It is a grace- a more sweet smelling fragrance than any other- when our lives are marked by Jesus and what we receive from Him in the place unseen.

*I received and advanced copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Unseen" is part memoir and part Bible study. Her intent is to help draw people into a closer relationship with God. The author looked at how Mary lavishly "wasted" her time (and perfume) on Jesus and was praised for it. Using Mary's story as a jumping off point, she talked about things that happened in her life that illustrated a certain point or that showed how mundane moments drew her closer to God.

As a young adult, she felt that any minute not spent serving God was "wasted," so the overall theme was how God taught her that the ordinary, unseen moments of life also please Him. She talked about how we can deepen our relationship with God and see His greatness in the everyday moments of life, like doing laundry. The author (and her husband) adopted orphans from several foreign countries, so she explained how raising them has given her insights into how we're like these adopted orphans in our relationship with God. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book.

I received this book as an ebook review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Sometimes we need to peek behind the curtains of other's lives to understand that we are part of a story that is bigger than we know. It might not seem bigger when compared to those whose reward is to be seen. There is another way. Sara Hagerty gives the reader a peek into her life---to her story of finding God in the everydayness of living Unseen, a quite ironic title. This is a great book for young women in the throws of raising kids---those feeling lost and forgotten in the clamor of this world of fast moving social feeds. Sara is a thoughtful mentor, a friend who says "me too," and a speaker of quiet wisdom in this world that is shouting for attention. Sara has found contentment at the feet of Jesus, learning from Him like Mary, the friend of Jesus, who has not been forgotten. I'm so excited Sara has shared these insights with her contemporaries and with those of us a few steps ahead. A good read for individuals or for a small group book club.

I loved Sara Hagerty's first book, Every Bitter Thing is Sweet, and was not disappointed by her second book. Woven in the midst of stories of her adopted children adjusting to family life and Sara's own heart is the theme that we are seen by God, even if we are not seen by others. I love this glimpse of her friendship with the Lord, her trust for him and what he is teaching her. I came away with a deeper sense of awe for the unseen parts of my life as ones to treasure with the Lord. I came away with permission to stop striving and the truth that I am seen and loved. I love Sara's story-telling, and she seamlessly weaved those into much gentle truth-telling. A for me. 
*Zondervan Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255

In Unseen, Sara Hagerty tells us that God has created every heart to be seen, and that He sees every heart. In a society that lives for being successful, to produce and do something all the time -- we often feel like we waste time when we are not accomplishing something. But what matters, is the time we spend with God. That we grow closer to Him. This, though, happens in moments that are unseen by the rest. Moments that, maybe, feel like they are not significant. But in these moments, we come face to face with God. So maybe it is in those moments when we are not accomplishing seventeen things at the same time. Maybe it is those "unseen" moments, that are the best for our soul.

In all honesty, God used this book to breathe life into my soul. As someone who so often tries to earn love, I find myself wanting to be seen. But the life of a Christian is not based on the mountaintop experiences. It is more about walking in the valleys, in the lowlands. In the unseen moments, where are hearts are seen only by God. Those are the moments that form our hearts.

At the end of every chapter, Hagerty provides Bible verses for the reader to study God's Word more on this topic. I loved this. I recommend this book for every one to read.

I absolutely love this book. The message is so timely, and Sara is such a STUNNING writer. In a world when so many of us are feeling invisible and forgotten, and we miss the old days when we felt relevant and noticed, Sara reminds us of the gift that it is to walk with our Savior in hidden, sacred moments. She reminds us that it is in the Unseen moments when it is just us and God, when we are able to be personal and intimate and free with him -- when nobody is watching -- stripped down to the essentials of just us and Jesus -- those are the moments when we experience the true joy of a deeper relationship with Him. Profound and beautiful.

Simple but powerful. The author gives her all in this book. She is real and relatable and easy to understand and follow. She presents many real life examples as well as scripture to back her points. I found myself in this book. It’s a book you can read fast but don’t want to because you want to ingest all she has to say. So applicable for everyone! I had many aha moments while reading this book. She puts words to things I haven’t been able to. I would read this book again!
I received a digital copy from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have been so blessed and encouraged by this book Unseen! As someone who has read MANY books, this one is now in my top 5-10 books that I would recommend others to read! Sara Hagerty shares so candidly and honestly about her own life and struggles and her journey of learning to draw near to the Lord as she recognizes that He sees her and His affirmation and love is what she truly wants! Although I never wanted to put the book down because it was so good, each chapter is written in short installments which made it perfect for anyone with a busy life to be able to read a couple of minutes worth and then ponder it while they accomplished whatever tasks lay at hand (perfect for the busy mom, or student, or person with a full schedule of work)! The best thing about the book was that each time I came away from reading it I wanted to spend time reading God's word more, and seeing God's heart for me and spending time talking with Him as I walked through each moment of my days! I just bought 14 copies of this book to share with various family members and friends, and can't wait to save up and buy more copies for more friends!

What a beautiful book and a poignant message. Our culture offers an unprecedented number of opportunities for which to be noticed. We are constantly connected, yet have never been more lonely. We are educated and wealthy by the world's standards, yet naive and starving in our more eternal pursuits. Being still is a struggle for many of us, slowly connecting with our Creator God often feels illusive, and our secret moments are tainted by fear, guilt, and insecurities. Sara's words invite us to explore a deep place of connection, hope, and purpose. She reminds us that "the sweetest greatness starts with being rooted, being made and nurtured in secret, being seen by God alone."

I was at a pastors' wives retreat earlier this month and this book was gifted to each attendee. What a blessing! I just finished reading it and so appreciated the thoughts Sara Hagerty shared about Mary and her gift to Jesus and the manner in which she gave it. The author stressed our hiddenness in Christ; how He sees us even when we feel hidden from others; He knows who we are even in our quiet and non-public lives; He loves us and wants our communication with Him to be like breathing (praying without ceasing). Lots of good material to mediate on in this book.

If you've ever felt unappreciated, overlooked or misunderstood you'll resonate with the stories within this book. It doesn't leave you there for long, pointing to a hope that won't disappoint. Unseen will go down as one of the best messages of our day. You'll want to purchase a few copies...you'll probably find yourself making a list of all those you want to share this book with!

I follow Sara online as a main source of biblical encouragement. Her new book, Unseen, combines the beautiful story of Mary of Bethany with Sara's hard-won wisdom regarding loving God in the many unwitnessed, ordinary moments of life. In a world that expects each life to be picture-perfect and public, Sara provides timely encouragement to love God and come to know Him deeply in a way that is hidden from likes, shares, and re-tweets. I look forward to leading other ladies through a study of this book!

Sara Hagerty gives voice to the inner workings of so many hearts through this book. I had to read slowly and carefully so as not to miss even a shred of her wisdom and kindness. Sara's storytelling is so beautiful and gripping -- you never doubt even for a minute that she is a woman who has been with Jesus. And she makes you want to be with him, too.

If you struggle with feeling unseen or unnoticed or unappreciated, this book is for you. Not only will Sara remind your heart of what is most important, you will come away GRATEFUL for those unseen seasons and moments we have. In the unseen moments with God we find our worth, we are seen by the One who matters most and we are loved as we are. This book is a must read for anyone and everyone I know. So grateful to have read it!

I recently read Unseen and it was a powerful reminder that while I may be unseen (or feel unseen) by the world around me, God sees me always. That is the beautiful reminder of this book- there may be areas of our lives that we have on social media, or how we present ourselves in our careers, and still we may have hidden hurts and challenges that we hide. With tender honesty Sara shares her story of Unseen and helps us all to remember that we are completely seen, known and loved by God. I would highly recommend this book!

I loved this book. Sara Hagerty writes a beautiful book about finding God when we are unseen, not in the spotlight, and how these periods of hiddenness are designed to draw us closer to Him, who always sees us. The book follows the story of Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus. Sara manages to write in a way that makes me want to know God more and to pursue Him more. I always value a Christian book more that makes me want to put down the book to spend more time in the Bible and in prayer, and Unseen does just that. Sara provides a list of verses at the end of each chapter for continued study, which I hope to spend more time pursuing. I can't recommend this book enough.

received this book to review and I don’t usually like these kinds of books. It grabbed my attention though and I read it. I read it two times it was so good. The Author takes into little dark places and shows you that God is there. God spoke to me through this book from the front cover all the way to the back cover.

Sara Hagerty's writing has shaped me once again! This book is for anyone who has ever felt overlooked, unsure, invisible, unheard, or even just caught in the throes of mundane, everyday life -- and Sara will time and time again point you graciously and gracefully into the arms of Jesus. Her message brings you continually back to God, who sees you and who knows you. Her personal storytelling throughout and her deep, personal living-this-story-out is evident in her writing. In the midst of deep grief, Unseen has been a welcomed encouragement to me that God sees me even in those most hidden, personal, intimate - and painful - moments. I'm looking forward to rereading it already.

Unseen is a masterpiece and a necessary read in today's world where so many things attempt to pull us from the secret place. Sara so authentically reveals her heart and it normalizes my unseen and even desert moments while at the same time catapulting me into deeper revelation of Jesus and His desire for me. I was transformed by it and am going back for a second read so I can marinate in some more of its goodness!!

I have been incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to participate in a pre-release book group with the author of this book, Sara Hagerty. Today is launch day for this beautiful book, which has brought me to tears many times as I've read it. Sara's humble, gentle words remind us that God sees and loves us so bountifully in our seasons of hiddenness. If you're looking for something new to read that will challenge, inspire, and encourage you...buy this book. You won't be sorry. Thank you, Sara Hagerty, for blessing me so richly through your words.

Through story and Scripture, Sara shares how we can challenge the perspective that the unseen parts of our stories are wasted, and see them instead as an invitation to draw nearer to the One who “made us in secret” (Psalm 139:15).

I know that I will come back to Unseen again and again. It was simple (in the best kind of way-like how Jesus simply met the woman at the well and yet changed her whole life trajectory) and complex (I loved how Sara didn’t shy away from the mysterious parts of God).
I highly recommend it!

This is a must read! This book breathes life and hope into all of the in-between spaces and unspoken pains of life. Sara beautifully invites us to be look up and see the loving eyes of our Heavenly Father delighting in us in every one of our seemingly invisible or insignificant moments.