Leah: The Unseen Praiser — A MIRRORS Reflection In this episode of Small Steps with God, I launch a new Bible study series called The Mirrors, and our first reflection focuses on Leah—the woman often overlooked in Jacob’s story, but never overlooked by God. Through Leah’s life, I explore what it means to feel unseen, how comparison can distort our identity, and the powerful shift that happens when we stop striving for human love and start standing firm in God's truth. Using the MIRRORS method, I walk through her life and what it still teaches us today. MIRRORS Breakdown M – Moment Leah’s story unfolds in Haran, a major Mesopotamian trade center during the Bronze Age. She lived among herds, household idols, arranged marriages, and deep family traditions. This wasn’t a mythic backdrop—it was real life, with all its mess and beauty. Understanding her moment helps us relate to her not as a distant figure, but as a woman who lived a life full of ordinary pain and extraordinary grace. I – Identity Leah was the daughter of Laban, the older sister of Rachel, and the wife Jacob never chose. Her name was associated with weakness, and her story was overshadowed by Rachel’s beauty. But over time, Leah’s identity changed—not because her circumstances improved, but because her heart turned to God. She stopped seeing herself through Jacob’s eyes and started seeing herself through God’s. R – Right Choices In the face of rejection, Leah chose faithfulness. She kept showing up, kept loving, and ultimately began praising. When she gave birth to Judah, something shifted. Her words—“This time I will praise the Lord”—marked a spiritual awakening. She stopped striving to be chosen and started standing in being seen. R – Risks and Failures Leah’s journey wasn’t perfect. She tried to earn love through more children. She traded for time with her husband. She even gave her maid to Jacob to compete with Rachel. Those choices were born from deep hurt. But her flaws didn’t make her unworthy. God still used her in a profound way, because His grace doesn’t require perfection. O – Ongoing Message Leah’s life speaks across the centuries: being overlooked by people doesn’t mean being overlooked by God. He saw her. He opened her womb. He wrote her into the lineage of Jesus. Her quiet faith was never forgotten. Her life reminds us that worship begins not when things are right, but when we choose to praise in the midst of the pain. R – Reflection I found myself in Leah’s story—and maybe you will too. Have you ever loved deeply and felt taken for granted? Have you watched others get the recognition while you did the work? Leah’s story asks us to reflect: Where have I been chasing love or approval? Where have I been measuring my worth by someone else’s gaze instead of God's? S – Steps This episode ends with real, tangible steps: Pray before you compare. Name something you’re grateful for and turn that into praise. Write Leah’s words in your journal: “This time I will praise the Lord.” Speak encouragement to someone else who feels like Leah. Replace scrolling and comparison with scripture, worship, or rest. These small steps aren’t about achieving. They’re about aligning—letting God’s love define you, not someone else’s attention. Takeaways This episode is a mirror. Leah’s story reflects so many of our own struggles—feeling unnoticed, trying hard to be chosen, hoping our efforts will be enough. But Leah's transformation began when she let go of that chase and anchored herself in worship. Her life didn’t change overnight—but her focus did. She found her freedom in praising God, not in being picked. If you've ever felt like the background person, the overlooked one, the quiet supporter who no one seems to recognize—Leah’s story is for you. Her life reminds us that God sees the unseen, honors the faithful, and turns quiet worship into eternal legacy. “This time, I will praise the Lord.” That’s the step. That’s the shift. And maybe, that’s the start of your own transformation too. https://smallstepswithgod.com/leah-the-unseen-praiser-finding-worth-when-you-feel-overlooked/ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod Twitter - https://twitter.com/schmern https://www.youtube.com/@smallstepswithgod Email the podcast at mailto: jill@startwithsmallsteps.com By choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed healthcare provider, psychiatrist, or counselor. Any advice or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.
