God heard [Ishmael] crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation." – Genesis 21:17-18 (NIV)

All across the Commonwealth of Virginia, and especially in Fredericksburg where we live, stories of Latino immigrants who left children, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and others in their home countries to live and work to the US come to our attention, breaking our hearts and bringing tears to our eyes. Leaving behind a little one, or even an older adult, who depends on you for their needs truly cannot be an easy thing to do. But many have done so, and continue to do so, not out of callousness or cruelty, but just the opposite, out of compassion and concern to provide in ways they never could if they stayed home. But that decision comes with a price. One day O., a Salvadoran immigrant who left several children to come to the US, poured out the pain and sadness he felt for his family back home. “I worry for my children’s health and safety. Recently, they witnessed one of their friends murdered at school. But in my country, there are no jobs, no hope, no future. The best I can do is work hard, send money, and pray that God would protect them each day. They have a house to live in, food to eat, and books, school supplies, and school uniforms. I could not give them these things if I had stayed.”

In Hagar’s desperate state, a voice from heaven assured her that God had indeed heard the cries of her young son under the bush. And so God hears the cries of the children and family members who live with the uncertainty of never seeing their fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, and sisters again. And he hears the cries of the parents whose hearts break over leaving their family behind. As Christians, are we not called to “weep with those who weep” even as we’re called to “rejoice with those who rejoice?” If you know of an immigrant mother or father who left family in their home country to provide for themselves and their family’s needs, make every effort to give them your love and support. And discover God in the midst of their cries.

God, please watch over immigrants and their family members who are separated from each other because of the struggle to make for themselves and their children a better life in the US. Guide us to be the support they need as they cope with the difficulties of this separation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.