My Bible reading this morning included some verses from the story of a woman named Hagar. I clearly remember, about fourteen years ago now, that it was while reading Genesis 16: 7 that I learned the Spanish word, "manantial" and discovered that it means, "spring." That is what led me to my later discovery that Alhaurín had been known historically as a place of springs.. (as described in this post.)
Hagar is in a bit of a crisis in this chapter of Genesis, having suddenly found herself homeless and also being pregnant at the time. But it is next to that spring of water that she encounters the Lord and recognises Him as the God who sees her in her time of need. That place became known as Beer-lahai-roi: the well of the living One who sees me. And the son she later gave birth to was named Ishmael - which means "God hears." Hagar was not a Hebrew by birth, but her meeting with God convinced her that He is the God who sees and hears us in all situations.
So, in my own place of springs, this morning I chose to trust and proclaim that God sees and hears me. He knows my situation and He is preparing a way forward for me.
Several people have recently felt prompted to give me Exodus 14: 14, which says, "The Lord will fight for you. You only need to be still." That's all very well, but surely I can't literally be still and do nothing. I have to be responsible in doing my part to look for a new home. Perhaps a better translation is what it says in my NLT version of the Bible: "The Lord will fight for you. Just stay calm."
