The Invisible Woman

One of the most inspirational women I have ever heard is Nicole Johnson. Nicole writes and performs her own sketches or dramas about such topics as being a woman, relationships, pain, being a Mom and so much more! I so appreciate the sensitivity she brings into her stories, that even now, 4 years later, I still think of her when I read of the woman in the Bible who hemorrhaged for 12 years.

Recently I was reminded of her comical act called, “The Invisible Woman.” It is a story about a fictional woman named Charlotte, who has two children and a pretty good marriage, but also a growing realization that she has a problem – she is invisible! She came to this conclusion after many blank stares and lack of response from those around her. She could be on the phone talking and someone would walk in, not even notice that she was talking, and ask the air, “What time is it?” The family would sit down for a meal and her husband would say, “There’s no butter!” or a child would say, “I don’t want milk.” Someone could run downstairs and call out, “Is my Jersey clean?” All the while, no one looked at her. Charlotte realized that they could not see her and that she was just a pair of hands to fix things, a clock to tell the time, the butter lady, or the nameless chauffeur, totally anonymous.

One day she was given a gift by a friend. It was a book on the Great Cathedrals of Europe. It didn’t seem to make much sense to her, until she read the inscription: “To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.” This book changed her life as she began to pattern her work after the truths she learned therein.


No one can say who built the great cathedrals.

These builders gave their whole lives for a work that they would never see finished.

They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built. As he saw a worker carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam, he was puzzled and asked the man, “Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.” And the artist replied, “Because God sees.”

Charlotte comes to the conclusion that her invisibility can actually be the cure for her self-centeredness and stubborn pride. She begins to desire to see herself as a great builder, as one who may never see the final results. She now knows that no act of kindness, no sequin she’s sewn on, no cupcake that she’s baked is too small for God to notice and smile over, because she’s in the process of building a great cathedral.