“And she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are the God who sees me’; for she said, have I also here seen Him who sees me?” Genesis 16:13

This is a "first" for me to live alone. I was born 5th in a family of 9 children. I lived at home and then later shared an apartment with other single teachers before I was married. So, it is quite an adjustment now to be alone. I’ve made it through one month! To mark the date, I took three of my grandchildren with me to the grave site. We stopped first and purchased bouquets of fresh flowers for each one of us to place on the grave. These are teaching moments for my grandchildren. I don’t want them to forget their wonderful grandpa.

At the grave, Charles said, “If Grandpa could see us, he would like these flowers wouldn’t he?” I assured the children that Grandpa would indeed love and appreciate our efforts to honor and respect his memory. In his childlike innocence, Charles had hit upon something, however. Many people like to imagine that their loved one can still “see” them after they are gone, but there is no biblical proof of that. It’s a hard finality to accept.

But what I do find in God’s Word is the assurance that I am not truly alone. In Genesis, there is the story of Hagar who suffered at the hands of her mistress, Sarah, and she ran from her presence. Feeling rejected and alone, Hagar was visited by the Angel of the Lord who spoke these words: “the Lord has heard your affliction.” What an unexpected revelation! She was moved by the realization that she was not alone and called the Lord “You are the God who sees me.”

When I struggle with the aloneness, I am reminded that “The God Who Sees Me” is watching over me too. He sees my pain, my struggles, my joys, my questions, my every need, and speaks comfort to my soul.

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.” Psalm 35:15