Genesis 16:13 (ERV)

"The LORD talked to Hagar. She began to use a new name for God. She said to him, "You are "God Who Sees Me." She said this because she thought. "I see that even in this place God sees me and cares for me!"

For the first time in a while, I missed my dad (of blessed memory) so much it moved me to tears. I had been reflecting over the past three years without him and couldn't help but feel the weight of his absence. I wept over the mistakes I had made and truly believed that I wouldn't have made some (bad) decisions if he was still here.

Later that day, during evening devotion, I received a word that took me by surprise.

James 1:5 (ERV)

"Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So He will give you wisdom."

It was as if God gently leaned in and said, "You know you can ask me, right?" While I was grieving the absence of my earthly father, God reassured me that He is always here, ready to guide me with His wisdom and love.

In that moment, I was reminded that God doesn't just see us in pain; He feels it too. It is because of this that He is able to comfort us in the ways that matter most to us.

Here's a little reminder that God sees you, and He really does care about everything that's causing you pain. And He won't stop there; He'll give you what you need to get through it.