At the age of sixteen, Ishmael found himself abandoned in the desert confused, rejected, out of water and food. He was born and raised in the dysfunctional relationship between his mother and Abraham and Sarah. He was paying the price for the strife and division in the family that he was not responsible for and could not control, dealing with the consequences of their poor choices. Sent away from his home and about to die, this young man’s cry was heard by God, who not only saved him and his mother but promised to make a great nation out of Ishmael.

God was showing us that He knows how to bring greatness out of a great mess. You may have had a rough start, the odds have been against you, but God is watching over you. He knows what you didn’t get. He knows who wasn’t in your life. He knows the pain, the betrayal, and the hurt. Call out to Him. He has a plan to make more out of your life than you ever imagined.

Father, thank You that You are watching over me, and You know what I didn’t get and who wasn’t there for me. Thank You that You have a plan for how to deal with the past and make me into more than I’ve ever imagined. I believe that because You are my Father, I can still do great things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.