Thank you to our guest pastor, Rev. Robin Joynes!
Today's reading finds Hagar and Ismael sent off into the wilderness by Abraham with nothing more than bread and water. After running out of their meager supplies, Hagar placed her son in a safe place under a bush, went a short distance away, sat, and lifted her voice to God.
She prayed that she did not want to watch her son die.
God heard her!
He told her not to be afraid, provided water for them to drink, promised to make her son into a great nation, and watched over Ismael as he grew up.
What message should we take from these events? Start with communication.
Hagar, in a bleak situation, listened to God and followed His directions, and she and her son prospered. Mothers, the nurturers of our families, go to extraordinary lengths to provide us with the means to grow and blossom in adulthood.
The key is not to hear a message but to listen. Just as Hagar listened to God, so should we. God listens and will respond if you are in the wilderness and call out to Him. Possibly not in a time frame of our liking, but God will respond nonetheless.
God listens to mothers. Let's follow their example and have Him listen to all of us!
Join us for our next service on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 11 a.m. For the link, please email us at info@northchurchnyc.org.