El Roi-The God Who Sees

As a homeschooling mom, I can tailor schoolwork to fit the learning styles and needs of my boys. As part of Lester’s schoolwork, I have him reading a book that contains a collection of missionary stories, short but powerful stories. The other day, while I was preparing supper, he came to me and said he wanted to tell me something.

He explains he read a story of a girl who always wished she had blue eyes instead of the brown eyes she was born with. She would have changed her eye color if given the chance. I do not know all the details of the story just the little bit Lester told me but somehow her life became in danger while she was serving in India. She would need to pass as Indian in order to live. Because of her brown eyes, she did.

Here is where my heart began to melt, Lester looked at me and said, “God used her brown eyes to save her”. He continues and says he does not like being smaller than his friends (he struggles with this daily) and he was thinking “if God could use her brown eyes maybe He would use his size.” Cue the tears.

God’s Plan is Not Our Own

This is no small statement. His size is noticed and commented on nearly everywhere we go. He wants to blend in but cannot. Accepting that his size, as well as health challenges, could be a part of God’s plan is amazing, and truthfully life changing. I am so grateful he sees this and grateful he knows that he has a Father in heaven who loves him, who created him for a purpose.

Truth is, I understand how he feels. I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of twelve. I saw nothing good in that. I wished and prayed it would go away. At the age of twenty-eight God would change the “worst thing about me” into the biggest blessing.

It is specifically because of my arthritis that we pursued adoption. If I had only known at 12 what the Lord was going to do, I would have been excited and happy. Do you know the Bible tells us to give thanks in all circumstances not just for good things but hard things too?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

The Bible goes on to tell us as believers God will use all things for our good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

El Roi- The God Who Sees

I was reminded that God is El Roi, the God who sees. He is personal, relational, and intentional. He used a story in a book to remind Lester of His love and care for him.

Then, He used Lester to remind me of the same thing. Our family is going through a very difficult time and I needed to remember God sees me, He is working out all things, and even when I can see nothing good in my circumstances, my heart should be full of thankfulness.

Do you ever feel like God has abandoned you or doesn’t know what’s going on in your life? He is the God of your past present, and future, and when you pray to El Roi, you are praying to the one who knows everything about you. So, trust Him, even when it’s hard, and know He is working all out for your good.

Carol reminded us that our God is the God who sees all. He has never left us or forsaken us.

An Egyptian slave, Hagar encountered God in the desert and addressed him as El Roi, “the God who sees me.” Interestingly enough, this is the only record of El Roi used in the scriptures. “She [Hagar] 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.” That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi [the”well of the Living One who sees me”]. (Genesis 16:13-14)

Guest Blogger:This month’s story was submitted by a friend of mine, Carol Unrine. Carol is a Christ follower, wife to Mark, and mom to Jacob and Lester. She spends her days homeschooling her boys and just being a mom. She also enjoys being involved with different ministries in her church. I am super excited to share it with you and hope it encourages your heart as much as it did mine.

I wrote another blog on Hagar if you want to hear more about her: To The Mom Who Needs REST