In reading Genesis 16 we encounter all too human actions and reactions. We meet a woman, an Egyptian slave, named Hagar. She belonged to Sarai. She was given to Abram by Sarai so that Hagar could bear a child for Abram that would be considered Sarai’s, apparently a common practice of that time. I can’t help but wonder what Hagar thought? It didn’t matter, she was a slave. Abram slept with her and she conceived. A simple sentence in Scripture and yet the repercussions! Hagar despised her mistress who hadn’t been able to conceive naturally, Sarai grew angry and blamed Abram! Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.” v. 5. Abram, the Father of the Faithful told Sarai to deal with the problem….that’s it. So Sarai mistreated Hagar and she fled into the wilderness, alone and pregnant, a run-away slave. Human actions and reactions each one and a seemingly insurmountable set of problems.

Enter God the Creator of all life. He found Hagar and said to her, “You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Hagar returned to her mistress Sarai but she was strengthened in the knowledge that God saw her and cared to talk with her and encourage her…He cared about her when no one else did.

Last night I was dreaming about some kind of obstacles, I can’t remember what, but I remember clearly that my favorite verse was right there with me…Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Have you met God, the Creator of all life? He created everything you are and see and sustains everything by His life. What do you love? He created and sustains it! I love many things…color, cool breezes, the sound of the ocean waves with the beautiful light streaming from clouds to illuminate colors so beautiful and pure you long to capture them, trees and the sound of the wind through them, birdsong, people in all their glorious mess, baby laughter, the love in a beloved pets eyes, the love of family, the love of God who loves all He created and gives us the freedom to live, breathe, grow, experience life, make mistakes, soar…the Creator God who knew we would make the awful mistakes and wonderful choices we do; and who loves us enough to have a plan for our redemption and salvation. He is life and that Holy life brims with energy and possibility and beauty that nothing can contain and limit. He is the God who sees you.