The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur.  And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?”   “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she answered.  Genesis 16:7-8 NIV

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her:  “You are the God who sees me.”  Genesis 16:14 NIV

Have you ever, like Hagar, been in a desperate situation and realized later that God saw you?  He was there with you all along—having compassion on you and working behind the scenes to bring blessing into your life.

During the months after my late husband’s death, my heart was especially heavy during a particular holiday.  As I cried out to God, I didn’t understand what He was doing in my life.  Why was I going through this?

Now, several years later, I can still recall the hurt and pain.  But I see a different scenario than I saw at the time.

God saw me.  He was there with me and He had compassion on me.  I now understand more of what He was and is doing in my life.

God has blessed me with a new beginning.  The sting of widowhood has been replaced with hope and thankfulness.

If you are alone or experiencing loss, I want you to know that God sees your hurts, and He is with you.  You can be assured that He is already at work, behind the scenes, to bring blessing into your life.

May you be able to say, “You are the God who sees me!”