God sees you

She usually gets up in the morning a little frazzled from the day before. She has a job on the strip at a casino. The hours are a little crazy and the environment isn’t the healthiest, but it does pay the bills.

The Father of her children is no longer in the picture. But that is not going to stop her from providing for her children. She rushes to get the kids fed, dressed, and off to school. She remembers what it was like to have a man around and wonders if maybe she will ever meet one worth having again. With a tear running down her cheek, she quickly brushes the thought aside and tries to get ready for another long, hard day. Clean the house, do some laundry (how does the pile grow so fast?), find somebody to pick the kids up from school.

“God, I need you! Help me to make it through this day,” she prays. “Protect my children out there today. Give me strength.” Finally, she collapses in tears feeling the weight of it all.

This story may not be your story, but it is the story of so many in our city-even in our church. This is a time of year when many are enjoying and celebrating moms. I think that is great. We should do it big time! No one on earth goes through more and gives more and sacrifices more than a mother. What I want to focus on today are our single moms who, in my opinion, might be the strongest, bravest persons on earth.

Hey, you out there! Yes, you mom. I salute you! You are amazing to me. I see all that my wife does to love and raise our son, and she has me to help. I don’t know how you do it, but you do. You deserve all the credit in the world. Not many could do what you do. Certainly not many men could. You are a counselor, healer, teacher, comforter, supporter, friend, coach-I could go on and on and you know it! The truth is, only God knows all the hats you wear, and you wear them well I might add.

I guess what I want to say is that God sees you. You may feel as if you are all alone in this, but you are not. Once there was a woman in the Bible named Hagar who was abandoned by her husband and thought she and her little boy were going to die in the wilderness. She too collapsed and began to weep when God suddenly intersected her life.

Genesis 16:7, 13 The angel of the Lord found HagarShe 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.”

I encourage you to read the surrounding story. It is a story just for you. God has compassion on Hagar and her son. He assures her that He is very aware of her situation. He provides for her and the boy. He even speaks to her about the future of her child.

Moms, please know that God sees you today. Don’t let go of Him. He will take care of you. As a pastor I want you to know that I admire you and we are here as a church to support you. You Go Girl!

If you know a single mom you would like to encourage, please forward this e-mail to them today. Invite them to our special “Mother’s Day Experience” this weekend. And pray for a mom today. Chris