Welcome to Abundant Love, an eight day email series exploring God’s rich love for us through Scripture and story. Today’s devotional was co-written by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller and Erin Strybis.
“Love is patient; love is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Reflection
God, Father, Source of Life, Mother, Healer, Source of Love.
How do you call to God?
One of my favorite names for God comes from Genesis 16 when Hagar names God. In the story, Hagar is met by God after she runs away from Sarai and Abram. Hagar is pregnant with Abram’s heir, and is treated harshly by Sarai. She’s sad. Lonely. Upset. She’s unsure of what her future will hold.
It’s in this moment — of loss, isolation, uncertainty — that God comes to her. God meets her, speaks to her, and promises a future for her and her child. In response, Hagar names God. She calls God “the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).
***
Sitting in on my first working moms’ lunch, the last thing I wanted was to be seen.
As these smart, chic colleagues swapped stories about their children, I listened in utter amazement. How did they juggle it all? In my first month at work after maternity leave, I was averaging five broken hours of sleep per night and constantly forgetting things. I didn’t belong at the table. I felt like the leaf of romaine I’d just stabbed: wilted.
Then my colleague Andrea turned and asked, “Erin, how are you doing?” All eyes swiveled to me, picking at my sad salad. My face reddened as I set down my fork.
“Honestly? Not great. I can barely keep up — the long nights, the pumping, this impossible workload . . . No matter what role I'm in, I feel like I'm failing,” I said, noticing heads nodding. “I don’t know if I’m cut out for this.” I sighed.
“Oh, friend, this part is so hard,” Andrea replied. “You are not alone.”
“Yes, I remember the early months back at work — they were grueling,” another mom added. One by one my new friends spoke grace-filled words honoring the intensity of what's known as “the fifth trimester" for working moms. After each admission, I exhaled a little deeper.
But the part I’ll never forget is what Andrea shared at the end of lunch, as we were getting ready to leave. She locked eyes with me and said, "You’re doing a great job, mama. It gets better, I promise.”
***
Is there nothing we desire more than being seen? Being known? And being loved?
That day at the work luncheon, all I wanted to do was blend in. But I summoned the courage to speak the truth, and my colleagues listened patiently, reflecting God’s love to me in their kind responses. Likewise, when Hagar didn't see a way forward for herself and her baby, God saw her in her pain and gave her hope.
Maybe today you are reading this note and wondering about your own worth. Perhaps you’re lonely or isolated. Maybe it’s been months since you’ve seen family and friends. Maybe you’re longing for a hug or a meal around a table with your loved ones. Perhaps you’ve experienced a broken relationship, a loss of income or are battling an addiction. Maybe you’re just weary from all the screens, Zoom meetings, online school and constant cycle of feeding, caring and cleaning in your home.
Maybe you just need God to see you.
That’s where we’re starting today: with “the God who sees” us.
Like a beloved friend, God knows your pains, triumphs, hopes and mundane moments. And God loves you deeply. God is always in the business of moving towards you to see you. The real you. The honest you. You, behind all your worry and insecurity. You, in all your goodness.
Today, remember that you are loved and say a prayer to the God who loves you just as you are.
Questions for pondering
Write down a list of names for God. How does it feel addressing God other than “God?” Do you feel a different connection when you pray to God with a new name?
When do you most need to feel seen? In these moments, can you pause, take a breath and remember the One who sees you in your need? How does a shift in perspective make you feel?
Practice for the day
Spend time thinking of people in your circle who might need a reminder that they are seen, known and loved — a child who seems to be misbehaving but might just need extra attention, an elderly neighbor who has little contact with others due to the pandemic, the person bagging your groceries. How could you show them love?
You might provide a listening ear to someone who simply needs to be heard. Or, perhaps you could encourage a friend or child with words affirming their spiritual gifts and innate worth. Maybe it’s sharing a fresh bread with new parents on your block or making eye contact with and greeting your mail carrier. Challenge yourself to notice and reflect God’s loving gaze in your interactions with others.
Prayer
All-seeing God,
sometimes I feel like Hagar —
unsure of my worth,
dejected and starved
for affection. I cry out,
Does anyone care? Don’t
they see how hard I’m trying?Imprint this on my heart today:
You see me.
You see my goodness,
my gifts,
my efforts,
my potential.Turn my eyes to meet yours;
help me see myself as holy.
And when I can see clearly,
turn my gaze to those around me,
so that I might reflect your love
to them, too.Amen.
Thanks for joining us for day one of your Abundant Love devotional!
We'll see you tomorrow for day two of our series: The God who cheers for you.