When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, "Let me not look on the death of the child."
And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.
Genesis 21:15-16 ESV
The food was long gone, and the water had run out, alone in the desert...all hope was gone.
And she cried.
It's OK to cry.
Hagar's circumstances were as extreme as they get (yet sadly in our world of so much wealth and plenty, not unusual. Just like Hagar & Ishamel people are forced from their homes, to see their children die because of fear, power, greed...)
And she cried.
Sometimes we get the impression it's not OK to cry, especially as Christians, but it is.
Hagar's choicies were non existent and hope was gone. And the greater loss was of her son.
Many years later another son was abandoned to die, not because of anything he had done, not under a tree, but nailed to one.
This son had options, but didn't take them, because He loves.
Us.
#love
...four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus... Mark 2:3-4 NLT Great account of inventiveness and determination to get their friend to see Jesus. Love this. Do you wonder about the back story? Are these the same 4 people who bring this man food? Take him to the toilet every day. Clean him up. Does he live with one of them? Are they family? Are there whole families or groups of people in the background who have supported and cared for this man? A group of children who grew up seeing their parents love in action? Probably. Healing Help Hope These things are found in community. These 4 guys are the heroes here. The upfront people. One day it will be interesting to see who the background heroes are. #loveinaction #community #inthistogether #walkingeachotherhome #gospelofmark
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