Seen by God: Meeting El Roi in the Coffee Shop

Hi, I’m Dawn Tolbert, author of I’d Rather Die Than Obey, a women’s Bible study that journeys through the book of Jonah.

I’m also the host of the Unwrapping Rest podcast, where I encourage frazzled women to stop striving and unwrap God’s gift of rest.

I’m so glad you’re here.

Welcome to Episode 6, Meeting El Roi in the Coffee Shop.

Yesterday, I heard a woman share that one of her greatest joys in serving at our local crisis pregnancy center is introducing clients to the God of Genesis 16.

That chapter tells one of Scripture’s uncomfortable stories.

Abraham and Sarah tried to take God’s promise into their own hands, using Hagar in the process and ultimately sending her away.

Alone, frightened, and wandering in the wilderness, Hagar encountered the angel of the Lord.

There, in the middle of her uncertainty, she discovered something remarkable.

She called God by a new name:

El Roi—the God who sees me.

That has always been one of my favorite names for God.

He saw Hagar.

And He sees me.

He sees you, too, with eyes full of love.

I’ve been meaning to tell you about an encounter I had with El Roi on the misty November morning of my book launch.

It’s one of those moments that reminds me God is intimately involved in the details of our lives.

Launch day for I’d Rather Die Than Obey had finally arrived.

Larry and I had played a real-life game of Tetris, fitting books, folding chairs, and decorations into the back of my RAV4.

I grabbed a quick shower, and we headed across the county to the coffee shop where the event would be held.

Everything seemed fine…

Until the fear started whispering.

What if no one comes?

What if becoming an independent author was a mistake?

Do I even know what I’m doing?

I had prayed.

I had trusted.

I’d offered this book to God like the loaves and fishes, asking Him to use it however He pleased.

But suddenly I wondered if I’d somehow mistaken my own plans for His.

As Larry drove, I asked God for peace.

I told Him I truly wanted my writing to honor Him.

Then, almost out of nowhere, a memory surfaced.

Years earlier, I’d considered naming my publishing company Allie Grace Publishing.

Allie was my grandmother’s name, and Grace reflected the kind of books I hoped to write.

But I’d gone in a completely different direction.

Eila Impressions had become the name instead.

Why was I suddenly thinking about Allie Grace?

It seemed so random.

We pulled into the parking lot.

I hurried through the drizzle and went inside to pay the rental fee before unloading everything.

Two young women were working behind the counter.

As we chatted, I asked their names.

One smiled.

“I’m Allie.”

The other said,

“I’m Grace.”

Tears immediately filled my eyes.

The God who sees me had brought that forgotten story back to mind so I wouldn’t miss what He was doing in that moment.

I told them why their names mattered so much.

I thanked them for becoming a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness.

I even took their picture before rushing outside to tell Larry and calling my mom and sister.

Allie Grace was never meant to become the name of my publishing company.

But it became something even more meaningful.

It became a gentle reminder that God is El Roi.

He saw what I was trying to do.

He knew my heart.

I could trust Him with the outcome instead of trying to manipulate circumstances.

That’s a lesson I return to often as I continue this writing journey.

I trust Him with book sales.

With marketing.

With future projects.

His timing.

His purpose.

His direction.

Not my striving.

Maybe you need that reminder today, too.

God sees you.

He loves you deeply.

He has a purpose for your life, and He is able to bring good from your circumstances.

In the words of the old hymn:

Only trust Him.

Join me in repeating Hagar’s beautiful words:

“You are the God who sees me.”

“I have now seen the God who sees me.”

Genesis 16:13.

Glory to His great name.