God is Kind

Hello, Bridge family. I hope all of you are doing well. This week, we looked at the story of Hagar and her son Ishmael in the book of Genesis. It’s an interesting story about how God showed His kindness to this mother and her teenage son when all hope seemed lost. Out of food and water, alone in the desert with nowhere or no one to turn to, Hagar felt she had little choice but to sit and wait to die. However, this story reveals an often-overlooked truth when we are hurting and feeling alone: God sees, God hears, and God is kind. This is a rich story of God’s love for all humanity. Let me encourage you to check it out with your family this week.


Also, let me encourage you to take time to reflect on how God showed up in your Hagar moment, when you felt hopeless and alone. As I mentioned, we often overlook God’s kindness in those times because we are simply relieved that the storm has passed. I remember when my wife, Lori, was diagnosed with cancer. My boss’s wife had also been battling the same cancer, so he understood what I was going through and how important it was for me to be there with Lori throughout her battle. Because of that, he arranged my schedule so I could be with her at every appointment until her treatment was complete. I hadn’t given that much thought in years until I reflected on the story of Hagar and Ishmael. I know it was only because of God’s kindness through that man that I was able to be there with her every step of the way.


I’m sure that if you were to sit earnestly and reflect on this passage in Genesis, God would reveal to you, as He did to me, His kindness in times that seemed hopeless. Then help your family do the same. When we reflect on God’s kindness instead of our day-to-day trials and tribulations, the more we and our families will come to realize that He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Cor 1:4). Can you think of a better way to reveal the glory of Jesus than living out this truth? But it can happen only when we have placed it upon our hearts.


Remember, as long as your child is at home, you have a wonderful opportunity to share the Bible. Together, explore its stories, talk about how they relate to daily life, and encourage deeper family conversations. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful journey. God bless, and I look forward to seeing your family on Sunday.


Pastor Bob