I told you about the email letter I’m using. The other day, I got this comment:

I want to know if God really hears me. I feel that he does, and that he sends signs letting me know I’m okay when I pray for him to stay with me and keep me safe, but I don’t want him upset with me that I’m not going to church regularly.

I believe in Him though, and know that if I believe, I’ll always stay safe.

I searched for the phrase “God hears”. I ended up with Ishmael, whose name means, “God hears.” It’s an odd story from Genesis 16 to answer this email.

God has promised Abram and Sarai an heir. But Sarai is past menopause and Abram is 86. God can do amazing things, but sometimes he needs help. So Sarai decides to use a surrogate, her servant Hagar. In those days, there were no embryo transplants. Surrogacy looked a lot like having a mistress. And after the procedure worked, Sarai sounds a lot like a wife who has discovered the mistress. Sarai verbally abuses Hagar. Hagar flees to the desert.

And in despair, Hagar cries out.

An angel, looking a lot like some guy, engages Hagar in conversation about her travel plans. And Hagar says that she is running. She has no plans. She has no toward. She only has an away.

The angel tells her to go back and then tells her to name her son Ishmael — “God hears” –. because God heard her frustration and pain. The angel doesn’t excuse Sarai’s actions, nor does he offer any hope she will be scolded. People who follow God often make bad choices.

Hagar heads back. She has a son. And a new nickname for God: “You are the God who sees me.”