September 8, 2015
The One Who Sees Me
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
“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.” Genesis 16:13, NIV
Friend to Friend
Have you ever felt lonely, scared, angry, confused and hurt all at the same time? Ever felt like running away from a difficult situation? I have. There was a time, several years ago, when I wanted to run – hard and fast – from life as I knew it. I had just birthed three babies in three years. Then, to everybody’s surprise, my husband got a promotion that moved our young family across the country to a place where we knew no one. I had two babies in diapers and one ‘big boy’ struggling to say goodbye to his binky. There was always a diaper to change, a mouth to feed or a mess to clean up. My days were a blur and my emotions were overloaded.
In my mind, I knew I wasn’t alone – but in my heart, I felt like I was.
God knew exactly where I was.
He saw me.
El Roiwas with me each step of the way. He answered prayers that had never even made it past my lips when he sent me a priceless new friend named Peg. She was a young mom, too. We laughed together, cried together, prayed together, watched each other’s children and supported one another. She was a true blessing in that desperate season of my life.
Hagar was a young Egyptian servant girl who also faced some big challenges. In the Old Testament book of Genesis, chapter 16, we hear of her plight…and of her flight. When faced with difficult circumstances, she didn’t stay - she ran away. And when she found herself seemingly alone in the desert, God sought her out and called her by name. Stunned that the God of the universe cared to comfort her, Hagar responded by giving God a new name…El Roi…”The One who sees me.”
Below is the lyric to a song that I co-wrote about Hagar…but it’s also about me…and it’s about you. Read the lyrics and then have a listen.
The One Who Sees Me
By Gwen Smith and Brad Bailey
No matter where I am, Lord, You see me
No matter where I've been, You've been there too
And even in the times I feel abandoned and alone
You hold me like a child and draw me close to You
I lift my eyes to the One who sees me
No matter where I am
No matter where I am
I lift my soul to the One who lifts me
With a loving hand
With a loving hand
No matter where I am I'm turning to
The One who sees me
No matter what I say, Lord, You hear me
No matter where I go, You're by my side
And even in the times I feel exhausted and unheard
You love me with Your words, passionate and kind
Even my darkest place is illuminated by Your grace
I’m so amazed
{CLICK HEREand listen to the song on Gwen’s blog.}
Lift your eyes to the One who sees you right now.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, there have been times when I have felt alone and abandoned. Thanks for reminding me that You are a God who will never allow me to be beyond Your sight or Your reach. Help me to face trials with a courage that is firmly routed in your strength and power so others might be drawn to You and know Your grace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
- What can you learn from Hagar’s encounter with God in the desert?
- Is there a difficulty in your life that you are tempted to run away from or ignore?
- Spend a few moments in prayer about this.
More from the Girlfriends
Struggling to see that you are seen?Learn how God wants to bring you beyond your past heart-wounds and your present challenges to His wholeness, strength and beauty. Broken into Beautiful is a book filled with stories – real stories … gritty and honest, not cleaned up and phony. It’s also filled with Scripture that will inspire you toward the life-changing grace of Jesus. To order the book, go to Amazon or, for a signed copy, visit Gwen’s web store.
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Girlfriends in God
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