“He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”‭‭ Genesis‬ ‭15:5-6‬ ‭

How wonderful the story would have been if that promise had unfolded like a classic fairytale. But, that is not the reality of life.  Sarah and Hagar both felt the unfairness of life and the challenges of having to endure less than desirable circumstances. Their stories overlap and yet their perspectives are worlds apart. They were certainly at odds with each other.  But, in the loving eyes of God, they were both worthy of His promises and blessings. 

Hagar was an Egyptian slave who had no freedom or status in her daily life. She was Sarah’s handmaiden and perhaps she resented being used at Sarah’s whim to produce an heir. Sarah’s mistreatment of her did not make it any easier. But God cared enough to seek her out when she fled and to give her the courage to see it through. “Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.””(‭‭Gen. 16:9-10‬) He also promised to bless her unborn child in a way that would mean a lot to an enslaved girl:  “he will be a wild donkey of a man” (Gen. 16:12) How hopeful that must have been to know her son would not know the life of slavery she had known. No wonder she felt special and said “You are the God who sees me” (Gen. 16:13) 

Unlike Hagar, Sarah had a position of status as Abraham’s beloved and legitimate wife. Not only did she share his wealth and privileges but she also turned the heads of kings and nations with her beauty. And yet, for all that she had, she lacked the ability to bear children. When in her 90s she considered herself “ old and worn out” and those dreams of motherhood long gone. But God’s response through the angel: “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”” (Gen. 18:14‬). God turned Sarah’s sadness into laughter. “Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”” (Gen. 21:6-7‬)

There is much hope for us to cling to in the interest we see God take in these two women. He didn’t promise them a fairytale life. They had to endure undesirable circumstances and they certainly had to wait to see His promises fulfilled. But, God showed them both that their lives mattered, their children mattered, and their hopes and dreams mattered. He weaved His perfect plan into the fabric of their less than perfect lives. He promises to do the same for you and I. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬)

Reflection:

1. Do you feel that God looks upon the unique circumstances of your life and really sees you?
2. Do you trust that God can do anything? Even what man believes to be impossible?
3. Do you expect a fairytale life or do you submit to God and trust He is at work even in the less than perfect circumstances of your life?