You’re invited to honor the women in your life on Mother’s Day, May 8, at all Crossings services! As we prepare for Mother’s Day, take time to reflect with this devotion from Amanda Van Every.

“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

Devotion

She was a slave and an outsider. She was abused and the concubine to a bitter wife’s husband. Eventually she would find herself wandering through the desert, pregnant, desperate, and alone. And it was in the middle of this desert that she encountered El Roi.

We don’t know many details of Hagar’s life. Most of what we do know can be summed up in one or two chapters in the book of Genesis. We know is that she was a slave and only viewed under that label. In fact, when reading Abraham and Sarah’s dialogue, they only refer to Hagar as “slave.” They never once mention her name.

Her life grew more complicated when she was given to Abraham by his barren wife, Sarah. When Hagar became pregnant with Abraham’s child, tensions increased with her mistress. Life became so volatile that Hagar fled to the desert. She was searching for home and a sign of hope. That is when she encountered the angel of the Lord and gave God the first name uttered by human tongues, El Roi.

God came to her before a prayer had left her lips and spoke what Hagar had so longed to hear, “Hagar.” When everyone else called her slave, God called her by her name. In the middle of a world that overlooked her, God saw Hagar. He saw her and called her by name.

In my mothering journey, I’ve had many moments that I can relate to Hagar. I was an outsider, overlooked, and trapped in a life I never imagined would be mine. I became pregnant with my daughter shortly after moving to Oklahoma City in my early twenties. A few years later I found myself going through a divorce. It is quite a scary thing to be parenting two children alone in a city without many friends. But God saw me and kept me every step of the way.

To my fellow women, I promise you that just as God saw Hagar, and just as he saw me, he sees you too. He sees you as you are filling lunch boxes and gathering backpacks in the morning. He sees you running back and forth to work, children’s practices, and various errands that must be done throughout the week. He sees your chest fall in a tired sigh at the end of the day. He hears your prayers and causes his angels to keep charge over you.

If you are like Sarah, unable to bear your own children, he sees you. If you have lost a child too soon, he sees you. He sees those of you who care for other women’s children. He sees the hurt, anger, and sadness that you conceal from the world. Your tears and anguished prayers are held as a sweet memorial in the throne room of heaven. You have not been forgotten or overlooked. God sees YOU. He deeply and intimately knows you. And he deeply and intimately cares for you.

PRAYER

My Mother’s Day prayer for you is that you would encounter El Roi, and that you know how deeply, widely, and fully loved you are. I pray you know how much God understands and feels what you go through. I pray that you hear the Father call your name and have faith that he will fulfill his promises to you.

Happy Mother’s Day to you all.

Learn more about Mother’s Day at Crossings.

Amanda Van Every

Guest Services Director

Amanda Van Every is the Guest Services Director at Crossings’ Oklahoma City campus. She enjoys introducing new people to Jesus as they explore Crossings.

Resources:

• Genesis 16:1-16
• Psalm 139
• There Was Jesus Sermon Series