I was on my way back home from gathering with some people I love after a morning spent of worshipping Jesus, connecting with each other over some delicious food, and spending time with each other in the scriptures.
On my way home about an hour’s distance, I decided to stop at this Park on Lake Michigan called, “Hagar Park.” The name stood out to me. I was reminded of the story of God ministering to Hagar in some of her most desperate, broken times. Hagar’s encounter with God left her with such a simple yet profound statement, “the God who sees me”
As I was pulling into the park I whispered out loud, please show some something here Lord, I want to know how you are “the God who sees.”
I walked down to the beautifully beach, sat in solitude, and fell asleep for about an hour. My body felt relaxed, rested, and I felt peace and gratitude for the sunshine, the water, the opportunity to reside in such a beautiful land.
I woke up, it was time to head home. I started walking to my car in the parking lot. As I got closer to my car, I noticed a man with what appeared to be his young (7-8 years old) son getting out of the car. I noticed the son’s head bowed low, he looked timid and afraid. I looked at the man with the young boy, he looked angry, tempered, he sounded dangerous. My stomach knotted, concern overcame me, my heart was breaking as I walked closer.
The man’s voice became louder, I heard him swearing at the young boy, berating him, verbally abusing. The son was silent, head bowed down. I kept hearing the man demean, shame, his body language alone communicated “you are worth less than trash.”
Lord, what do I do? “I am the God who sees, show the boy, I am the God who sees”
I get close to the man and the young boy, I continue to hear the verbal aggression towards the young boy, I cannot, not do something.
Lord give me boldness, give me words. I speak up, “Sir, please do not speak like that to your son.” My eyes sting, my heart is aching, I want to pick that child up and take him away from the abuse.
“Get the F*** out of here” the man responds to me. My heart breaks again. I look at the boy, I see deep pain in his eyes. I lock eyes with him. “Lord, help this boy know that you are the God who sees,” I pray in my heart.
I take a picture of the license plate of the man’s car, I call Child Protective Services. I file a complaint. The woman I am talking to on the CPS line is the same woman I talked to earlier in the week when I filed other CPS reports. I ask the woman, “are you a Christian? because the way you interact with me over the phone in such a supportive and caring way reminds me alot of Jesus, I sense His comfort and peace through you”
Yes, yes I am A christian! This woman says. I share appreciation for her services and encourage her in the work she’s doing.
I am encouraged to speak with this woman today and fighting feelings of wanting to do more for this Child, wanting to protect him from the harm, wanting to save him from the abuse. I am fiercely concerned for this child.
God, you are a God who sees. May you show this boy, you are His defender, advocate, the one who sees him. May you move on his behalf.
Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” So that well was named Beer-lahai-roi (which means “well of the Living One who sees me”). Genesis 16:13
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Mathew 19:14