The God Who Sees Me

• Guest Author: Holly Culhane, Founder & CEO at Presence Point
• Posted: July 3, 2025

Have you ever felt alone? Maybe you have been by yourself when you wished you were with others, or maybe you were with your family, or even at a party with co-workers or friends, but…you still felt alone. 

That is how Hagar felt when she was living with Abram and his family. She was a maid to Abram’s wife, Sarai, but she felt alone when Sarai mistreated her. She was so troubled by the situation that she voluntarily left the safety and security of their home. 

There is always a backstory, isn’t there? In case you are not familiar with Hagar’s, here it is:  She was pregnant with Abram’s son because Sarai had not been able to have a child, and Sarai gave Hagar to Abram for the purpose of an heir. The union produced just that. So, Hagar began to look down on Sarai and treat her terribly, as if she were better than Sarai. In return, Sarai was cruel to Hagar. It was a very difficult situation and, ultimately, Hagar ran away. She ended up by herself, pregnant, and feeling alone in the desert. 

But God saw her!

She was sitting beside a spring of water, most likely tired, hungry, and frustrated.

And He spoke to her. 

Yes, the God of the universe knew Hagar, a simple maid, there in the desert – by herself. And He spoke to her. In fact, He called her by name (“Hagar”) and by the role she had in Abram’s family (“maid of Sarai”). Yes, even in the vast desert of Israel, God knew she was there, by herself, and he saw her. He told her that she was to give her son the name Ishmael, which means “God hears” because He heard her when she cried out to Him. God saw her and He heard her! Hagar responded to God, exclaiming and praying with gratitude, “You are the God who sees me!”

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.”  That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.
— Genesis 16:13

This was such a remarkable experience for Hagar that, as was the custom of the day in such circumstances, she named the place where she encountered God. In fact, she called it, “Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.” 

Just like a good shepherdess knows where her sheep are at all times, the Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd, knows where we are – the sheep of His pasture – all of the time. He knows you, and He knows me. And He sees us, in every situation and in every circumstance. He sees us when we are celebrating, and He sees us when we are discouraged. He sees us when we are filled with frustration and anger. He sees us when we cry with heavy sobs or in quiet whimpers. He sees us when we are having a great time, and He sees us when we feel alone. 

The same God who saw Hagar sees you, sees me, and sees the children we encounter and influence. As the Father’s under-shepherds, it is our responsibility to help the children we lead know the same God who saw Hagar, sees them, knows their every need, and never misses where they are, what they do, or when they need Him. May the presence we offer to the children entrusted to our care – whether it be for a moment or a lifetime – be as comforting to them as the Good Shepherd’s presence is for us.

DIGGING DEEPER QUESTIONS:

• Have you cried out to God, like Hagar did, and if so, how did He answer you?
• Describe a time when you knew that God saw you and the situation you were experiencing? 
• Are there sheep you know that need to feel seen by their shepherd leader so they can also feel seen by the Good Shepherd?