Samuel 9:17 "When Samuel Caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him. 'This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people." 9:19 "I am the seer,' Samuel Replied. 'Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me ...20 ...'And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?' 21 Saul answered, 'But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel..." 9:24 "...Samuel said, 'Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion for the time I said, 'I have invited guests.' And Saul dined with Samuel that day."
Today, remember, that God is the God who sees us. In Genesis 16:13 we read, "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.'" God chose Saul, out of all of the tribes and clans in Israel. God had a plan for Saul and his family that was beyond anything Saul could think or imagine. God also sees you. He sees you in your hurt and he sees you in your pain. He sees you when you blow it, and he sees you when are at the end of your rope. And he also sees us when we've been patient, seeking his help. God sees our family as we moved to Costa Rica. He has a plan for us. He has a plan for not only Glenn and me, but for each of our children. He sees them, and he has called them to seek Him with all of their heart. Today is not a day to focus on why God chose us, or why he chose Saul, or Hagar, but sit in the presence of the love of God, knowing that he did choose us all to be his sons and daughters. He chose our family to move to Costa Rica and learn Spanish. He choose you and your family for something as well. We all have our unique plan to follow. What is God calling you to that seems to big? What has God chosen you for that seems totally crazy for you? The most amazing place to be in right in the will of God. However, it is sometimes the most challenging place to be. It was not easy to leave friends and family, jobs and schools and move to a foreign land where they speak a different language and have different ways of doing things. But it's been amazing, and difficult, and excited, and overwhelming, and challenging, and I wouldn't trade it for being comfortable back home. God's plans are always the best plans, even when it's hard. Remember today that our God is the God who sees us, and he sees you right where you are at today. He not only sees you, he sees you with his deep, deep love and he is calling you to him.