Oh God, don't forget me...please

She 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.” - Genesis 16:13

I was listening to one of my favorite authors this morning, Ruth Haley Barton in her series, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, and she quoted a poem from Pastor Ted Loder that I want to share with you:

Holy One,

There is something I wanted to tell you...

but there have been errands to run,

bills to pay,

meetings to attend,

washing to do...

and I forget what it is I wanted to say to you,

and I forget what I'm about,

or why.

Oh God...don't forget me, please,

for the sake of Jesus Christ.

The first time I heard her read this poem...I had to stop everything and sit. Sit in quiet and silent. And then, I played it over and over several more times, rewinding the video and listening again...and again.

Here is the truth. No matter how good we are or try to be. No matter how deep or shallow our spiritual life is. No matter how much we love God. Sometimes...sometimes life gets busy, we get distracted, and we find ourselves forgetting God. It's human.

But the great reality that has been revealed since the very beginning of time, from generation to generation, is this: GOD NEVER FORGETS US!

God remembers us...God sees us. Just like in that moment I quoted from Genesis 16 at the very beginning. Even for Hagar, who was fleeing Abraham and Sarah...who came to the forefront of the story because of human impatience, distraction, and ignorance. Even Hagar was not forgotten, did not go unseen.

God remembers you. God sees you. Today, remember that. In Jesus Christ, we are all remembered. Grace is extended for us to receive. Identity and belonging are ours in Jesus. You are remembered. You are loved.