Blessed Are Those Who Mourn - The Plight of Hagar

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Blessed Are Those Who Mourn – The Plight of Hagar"

The Jesus Podcast | Host: Ethan (Pray.com)
Release Date: June 30, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Jesus Podcast explores the Beatitude: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4), connecting Jesus’ promise of comfort to the sorrow-filled journey of Hagar from Genesis 16. Through immersive biblical storytelling and theological reflection, host Ethan draws parallels between Jesus' teachings on mourning and Hagar’s experiences of loss, injustice, and divine comfort, inviting listeners to see God’s presence in times of deep sorrow.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Beatitude of Mourning—Jesus’ Assurance (00:00, 06:50, 25:40)

• The episode opens with a meditation and prayer centering on the words: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
• Ethan emphasizes that mourning is not limited to grief over death but includes sorrow over sin, suffering, injustice, and the world’s brokenness.
• Mourning, according to Jesus, leads to divine comfort: “This comfort is not just an emotional relief, but a profound, transformative assurance of God's presence and love.” (Ethan, 25:47)

2. Introducing the Story of Hagar—A Biblical Parallel (08:13, 06:50)

• The story of Hagar is introduced as a living illustration of the beatitude.
• Context is given: Sarai (Sarah) and Abram (Abraham) have waited for God’s promised child, but, in impatience, Sarai gives her Egyptian slave Hagar to Abram to bear a child, precipitating a cycle of pain, jealousy, and abandonment.

3. Hagar’s Plight—Narrative Dramatization (08:44 – 22:36)

• The episode dramatizes the emotional and relational struggles:
  • Sarai’s agony and desperation in her inability to conceive.
  • Abram’s passivity and lack of emotional support.
  • Hagar’s objectification—given as a surrogate, she carries the burdens of pregnancy without honor or security.
  • Rising tensions and abuse between Sarai and Hagar, culminating in Hagar being physically struck and chased away (16:10).
• Memorable moment:
  • Hagar’s cry of despair: “Is there no comfort for me? Doesn’t anyone see my pain?” (Hagar [voiced], 18:47)

4. Divine Encounter: God Sees Hagar (18:53 – 22:29)

• Hagar, abandoned and desperate in the wilderness, is addressed by God’s angel:
  • Angel’s words: “Hagar, where have you come from and where are you going?” (Narrator, 19:09)
  • God’s promise: “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count…You are pregnant with a son. His name shall be Ishmael, for the Lord has heard you in your misery. The Lord sees you.” (Angel/Narrator, 20:39–21:19)
• Hagar’s affirmation of faith:
  • “You are the God who sees me.” (Hagar, 21:31)
  • She names the place Bir Lahai Roi (“the well of the Living One who sees me”).

5. Reflections on Divine Comfort (25:40 – 29:30)

• Host Ethan draws practical lessons:
  • Biblical mourning involves a willingness to acknowledge sorrow, much as Hagar and King David did.
  • “David knew how to acknowledge his feelings of pain and anguish, and he didn’t hold back. But there’s a key element… David went to God first.” (Ethan, 28:10)
  • The difference between godly mourning and despair is hope—hope rooted in God’s promises:
    • “We don’t weep as victims of tragedy. We mourn as people who feel deeply but also know that there is hope.” (Ethan, 30:17)

6. Embracing and Living Out Comfort (29:31 – 32:40)

• Four core themes emerge:
  1. Acknowledge Sorrow: Don’t deny pain—allow space for lament.
  2. Seek God’s Comfort First: Community is vital, but divine comfort is unique.
  3. Trust God’s Promises: Perseverance in trials births hope.
  4. Practice Empathy: Create a supportive, compassionate community.
• Cautionary note:
  • Sometimes those in pain (like Sarai) are blind to the suffering of others (like Hagar). “May this never be so with us.” (Ethan, 31:57)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Narrator's Opening Prayer:
  “You are close to the brokenhearted, a faithful friend who understands our pain and catches every tear we shed. Grant us the grace to navigate our sorrow, trusting that through the darkness of loss your light shines the brightest…” (00:40)
• On Hagar’s Abandonment:
  “She had been treated like an object and now she was going to be robbed of her child and cast aside.” (Narrator, 13:46)
• Hagar’s Agony:
  “Is there no comfort for me? Doesn’t anyone see my pain?” (Hagar, 18:47)
• God’s Assurance:
  “You are pregnant with a son. His name shall be Ishmael, for the Lord has heard you in your misery. The Lord sees you.” (Angel/Narrator, 20:39–21:19)
• Hagar’s Declaration:
  “You are the God who sees me.” (Hagar, 21:31)
• Application for Listeners:
  “We don’t weep as victims of tragedy. We mourn as people who feel deeply but also know that there is hope.” (Ethan, 30:17)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–03:44: Opening prayer and introduction to the theme of mourning and comfort.
• 06:50–08:13: Ethan introduces the focus on Matthew 5:4 and the lens of Hagar’s story.
• 08:13–22:36: Storytelling: Sarai, Abram, Hagar, and the journey from betrayal to divine encounter.
• 25:40–29:30: Host’s theological reflections; the meaning of godly mourning, King David’s lament, and hope.
• 29:31–32:40: Practical applications—embracing sorrow, seeking God’s comfort, trusting promises, and fostering empathy.

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Concluding Thoughts

The episode masterfully bridges Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes and Hagar’s suffering, emphasizing that in the depths of our sorrow and the margins where we feel unseen, God is present—He is “the God who sees.” The call is both to allow ourselves to mourn in God’s presence and to offer His comfort to “the Hagars” around us.

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For Listeners

If you seek encouragement in sorrow or wish to grow in compassion and faith, this episode offers profound comfort and actionable insights, drawing from the rawness of biblical stories and the promise of God’s attentive love.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Dear Lord, you see us. You see us in our highest moments of victory, but also in our darkest moments of mourning. You have seen the depths of our grief in the gloomy moments and dark storms of life. You offer comfort in moments of mourning when our hearts are heavy and our spirits are crushed. Wrap us in the warmth of your love. Let us feel your presence as a comforting embrace, reminding us that we are not alone in our grief. You are close to the brokenhearted, a faithful friend who understands our pain and catches every tear we shed. Grant us the grace to navigate our sorrow, trusting that through the darkness of loss your light shines the brightest, guiding us toward healing. May we find solace in the community of believers sharing in each other's burdens and lifting each other in prayer. Transform our mourning into dancing and our sorrow into joy as we cling to the hope of eternal life with you, where every tear will be wiped away. Until that day, keep us in the comfort of your love, secure in the promise that in our mourning we are blessed, for we shall be comforted in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You are listening to the Jesus Podcast Gospel Stories told to awaken your imagination and challenge your faith. Remain here for another episode inspired by the Sermon on the Mount. If you want to support this podcast, share it with a few friends. We want everyone to be impacted by the story of Jesus. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus began with a shout. The sea of faces leaned in, ready to receive Jesus. Words like rain on parched earth. His voice was steady and authoritative. He had just begun the greatest sermon ever preached, an oration that would be etched upon hearts for all eternity. He started with an encouragement anthem for the poor in spirit. Those who lack in this world would be rich in the kingdom of God. God's provision would satisfy those deprived, humble and needy. The wind picked up, bringing in fresh air from the coast. It was a sign of new things to come. Jesus continued to preach to them, saying, blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with

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[Ethan (Host)]

When you feel forgotten, cast aside and without hope, know that there's a God who sees you. He knows your every thought and has kept every tear you've ever shed in a bottle. We don't worship a distant God who's far away, but a God who's near to us and longs to embrace us. This is the Jesus Podcast. I'm Ethan from Pray.com welcome to another episode connecting the Sermon on the Mount with other stories throughout the Bible. If you haven't yet taken a moment to follow the podcast, make sure to do so. If we've brought value to your walk with Christ, consider supporting us by sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. Today we'll take a look at mourning, loss and insecurity. How does God meet us in our despair? In our searching, our sorrow? Our focus will be on Matthew, chapter 5, verse 4, which reads, Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. We'll see how this profound statement finds its reflection in the story of Hagar found in Genesis, chapter 16. We'll explore the depth of Jesus promise of comfort to those who mourn, and how we can embody these values in our daily lives.

[Narrator]

The Lord had promised Abram and Sarai a son. He declared that their descendants would outnumber the stars in the sky. But years had passed and that promise seemed like a dream, an unfulfilled and unforgotten dream, years stacked upon themselves like stones upon a tomb. Sarai's hope for conceiving a child blew away like sand in the wind.

[Sarai]

Perhaps God has forgotten us, sarai whispered beside the fire.

[Narrator]

She looked at her husband, desperate for comfort. He didn't offer it. He was too confused in his grief to see hers.

[Sarai]

Maybe this isn't the way. Maybe we need to move God's plans along.

[Narrator]

Abram looked at his wife curiously. She had his attention. Sarai rubbed her arms and looked away. She wanted him to hold her, to tell her that it would be all right. She wanted his adoring hands on her shoulder and a reassuring reminder that he loved her despite being childless. But instead he just stood there.

[Sarai]

If I can't give you a child, then maybe it's time to take a different route. The Lord has been silent since he gave you that promise, Abram, and I'm tired of waiting. I'm too old to waste away waiting for a promise that may never be fulfilled.

[Narrator]

Abram tilted his head to the side, examining his wife closely. Surely she wasn't suggesting to be with another woman.

[Ethan (Host)]

What are you saying exactly?

[Sarai]

I'm saying that another should carry the child in my place. The Lord has kept me from having children, so you should sleep with another to fulfill his promise.

[Narrator]

Sarai arched her back and walked to the entrance of the tent. She lifted the flap and pointed to her servant, Hagar.

[Sarai]

Hagar will do it. Conceive through her and fulfill God's promise to us.

[Narrator]

Abram looked at Hagar drawing water from a basin to feed the animals. She was a slave from Egypt, a part of Pharaoh's gift to him. After a misunderstanding regarding Sarai, Abraham didn't stop to consider what his wife needed. He should have asked Sarai why she was saying these things. He should have pressed further into her heart. He should have listened to the hurt in her voice as she spoke. But instead he jumped at the opportunity.

[Ethan (Host)]

Very well, my love. If this is what you want, then

[Narrator]

I shall do was certainly no sacrifice on Abram's part. His inattentiveness would ultimately be his undoing. He was repeating the sins of Adam. His wife offered him sin, and he took it. With a callous tone. Sarai shouted to her servant, Hagar, come over here. Sarai commanded Hagar to bear a child. To her and Abraham. It wasn't a request but a demand. Hagar became a concubine, an undefined and awkward hybrid of slave and wife. She was given an honorable role in the family but didn't have the love and protection of marriage. She would conceive a son but wouldn't be his mother. That night, Abram and Hagar conceived a child. It wasn't an act of love or a sacred moment of divine favor. Hagar was a tool of impatience and negligence. Months passed. The child conceived within Hagar grew. However, bitterness grew along with it. As Hagar's womb expanded with Abram's son, she had to watch Sarai receive love, favor, and authority within the household.

[Sarai]

I am the one giving him a son. Why am I still considered a slave while she gets to lounge at the table next to him?

[Narrator]

Hagar's blood boiled at her situation. She had the aches and pains in her back she had the nausea and morning sickness. She had sleepless nights and tightness in her belly. Yet she wasn't even allowed to sit at the family table. Tension between Hagar and Sarai grew with each passing day. Sarai thought that the guarantee of having a child would bring her peace. But like anyone who tries to speed up God's plans, she felt woefully empty.

[Sarai]

She hates me. Or worse, she thinks she's better than me.

[Narrator]

Sarai shot Hagar a skeptical glare. Hagar returned with a bitter eye roll and turn.

[Sarai]

Say what you want to say, Hagar. I don't need to say anything.

[Narrator]

Hagar gestured to her pregnant belly. She scoffed and turned her face away. Hagar's ire came from a deep well of hurt and a sense of powerlessness. She had been treated like an object and now she was going to be robbed of her child and cast aside.

[Sarai]

I'm the one who can conceive, so why do you get the honor of being the mother? This child is mine.

[Narrator]

Sarai was fuming. She thought she could create shortcuts for God's blessing. Sarai thought that having Hagar carry her child would satisfy the longing of her heart. She was wrong. Sarai's little experiment cost the family their sanity. Sarai stormed into Abram's tent and began to scream.

[Sarai]

This is all your fault.

[Narrator]

She beat her fist against Abram's chest in frustration.

[Sarai]

You're responsible for the wrong I'm suffering. I put my slave in your arms and you just welcomed her without any questions, didn't you? You didn't care. You didn't ask me why. Some leader you are. No wonder God hasn't given you a son. Look at the mess you've made. She's pregnant and hates me. May God be the judge between you and me.

[Narrator]

Sarai's anger toward Abram wasn't entirely unfounded. He shouldn't have compromised. He shouldn't have been so careless. Instead of repenting and seeking God, Abram repeated his patterns of thoughtlessness. He repeated the sins of many husbands, choosing swift sight solutions over understanding and heartfelt curiosity.

[Ethan (Host)]

Don't you dare put this on me. I don't want any part of this squabble. She's your slave. Do whatever you think is best.

[Narrator]

Abram didn't consider his wife's heart or the well being of Hagar. They both needed comfort and Abram was too ignorant to offer it. Sarai left the tent and grabbed one of the goads with frustrated tears. Sarai yelled and swung downward at Hagar Worthless.

[Sarai]

Worthless.

[Narrator]

She screamed, coupled with a blow to Hagar's face.

[Sarai]

Ungrateful.

[Narrator]

She yelled, aiming the goad at Hagar's legs. Sarai may have been hurting Hagar, but she was angry at herself. She knew deep down that she had done this to herself, but instead of admitting her mistakes, she chose to lash out at Hagar. Sarai's cruelty and insecurity collided with Hagar's pride and bitterness. It was a perfect storm. Sarai frantically swung the ox goad, breaking pots and knocking over baskets.

[Sarai]

Sarah, stop. Get away. You're going to hurt my baby. Your baby? That child is mine. You wouldn't have it if it weren't for me.

[Narrator]

Sarai swung again, this time hitting Hagar in the temple and knocking her back into a pile of firewood. Sarai stopped when she saw the blood dripped down Hagar's face. She saw her cruelty reflected in Hagar's terrified eyes. Hagar wasted no time. She leaped to her feet and ran away. Barefoot, without extra clothes or water skin, Hagar fled for her life. Sarai screamed and watched her leave. She fell to her knees and wept. She fell into a ball on the ground, ashamed, alone and without comfort, Hagar stumbled down the jagged hill into the sand. Her feet were torn to shreds from the rocks and her lips were parched from thorough.

[Sarai]

I'll return to Egypt. Maybe I can return to the house of Pharaoh.

[Narrator]

But the backcountry behind Canaan was desolate. There was no shade, and the road to Shur was treacherous in the late stages of pregnancy. There was no guarantee she would make it another day on the road. Hagar limped a few miles before collapsing at a speed off the beaten path. She dipped her hand in the water and trickled some on the back of her neck. She drank from her palm, tears pulling from her face and into the water.

[Sarai]

Is there no comfort for me? Doesn't anyone see my pain?

[Narrator]

Hagar had been a slave her whole life. She thought following Abram would be different. She thought she was going to be done with the cruelty of Egypt, done with the whips and beatings. Hagar leaned her head against the whetstone of the spring. She sighed and slowly drifted to sleep. Hagar. A gentle voice awoke Hagar from her deep sleep. Hagar, the voice said again. The voice felt familiar, but Hagar was certain she had never heard it before. Hagar slowly opened her eyes. The silhouette of a man against the setting sun stood above her, leaning against the stone and looking down. He repeated her name. His voice was tender like the first warm breeze of spring that caresses the face, promising new beginnings and the thawing of the coldest winters. Hagar, where have you come from and where are you going? Hagar arched her back and held her belly. She wiped her eyes and said, I'm

[Sarai]

running away from my mistress Sarah. I have nowhere to go. I'm going to die here.

[Narrator]

The air shifted slightly around her. Hagar looked up, realizing that it wasn't a mere man standing beside her. It was the Lord. Go back to your mistress, Hagar.

[Sarai]

But what about my baby?

[Narrator]

I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count. Hagar's eyes widened at the thought. She knew that was one of God's promises to Abram and Sarai. Now, in the middle of the desert, Hagar was receiving a similar blessing. With a voice like the sound of rushing waters, the Lord said to Hagar, you are pregnant with a son. His name shall be Ishmael, for the Lord has heard you in your misery. The Lord sees you. He will be a wild donkey of a man. His hands will be against everyone, and everyone's hands against him. He will live in hostility towards his brothers.

[Sarai]

I know Abram has a name for you, but I have my own name for you. You are the God who sees me.

[Narrator]

The angel of the Lord smiled and nodded his head to Hagar. The sun's golden rays fell behind the valley's edge. As the final light faded from view, so did he. Hagar's heart fluttered in her chest. The God of creation had visited her in that lonely place. His words brought comfort to her. Hagar's son would become a great nation. Although struggle awaited them, there was comfort in knowing that God saw them. They weren't forgotten and cast aside. She looked around at the grass surrounding the spring.

[Sarai]

I have seen the one who sees me. I shall call this place Bir Lahai Roi.

[Narrator]

Hagar lifted herself and drew a few deep breaths. She drank from the spring again to replenish her strength, then returned to camp. She bore a son, and Abram named him Ishmael. Years later, God would comfort Sarai in her brokenness as well. She would bear the son of Promise, Isaac, which means laughter. Both women, neglected and alone, were comforted by the presence of God. Their mourning was turned to laughter. God saw them. God knew them. God redeemed them.

[Ethan (Host)]

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[Ethan (Host)]

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. This beatitude speaks to the heart of Jesus message of compassion and empathy. Mourning in this context extends beyond grieving a loss. It encompasses sorrow over sin, suffering, injustice and the brokenness in the world. Jesus promises here that those who experience such sorrow and turn to God will receive divine comfort. This comfort is not just an emotional relief, but a profound, transformative assurance of God's presence and love. To be a citizen of heaven is to live with the character of Jesus, feeling deeply for the pain of the world and offering solace and hope through God's promises. Now let's turn to the story of Hagar, found in Genesis, chapter 16. Hagar's story is one of sorrow, abandonment, and ultimately, divine comfort. Hagar was an Egyptian maidservant of Sarai, later Sarah, Abram's wife. When Sarai could not conceive, she gave Hagar to Abram to bear a child. Hagar conceived, but her pregnancy led to tension and conflict, resulting in Sarai mistreating her. In her distress, Hagar fled to the desert. In Genesis chapter 16, verses 7 through 10, we read, the angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert. It was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going? I am running away from my mistress Sarai, she answered. Then the angel of the Lord told her, go back to your mistress and submit to her. The angel added, I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count. In her mourning, Hagar encountered the angel of the Lord who provided her with comfort and hope. He reassured her of God's presence and promised a future for her and her son Ishmael. Hagar's story is a testament to God's compassion and faithfulness. Even in her lowest moment, she found divine comfort and strength to carry on. How can we live out the values and truths taught in Matthew, chapter 5, verse 4, and Hagar's story in our everyday lives? How can we be those who mourn well instead of wallowing in despair? First, we must acknowledge and embrace our sorrow. Just as Hagar did not hide her distress, we should not shy away from our own sorrow or the sorrow of others. Whether it's mourning over personal loss, relational strife, or the brokenness in our world, acknowledging our pain is the first step toward healing. I'm reminded of King David, who wasn't just a warrior but a poet. He knew how to acknowledge his negative emotions. He gave them words in his Psalms of lament. In Psalm 22, verses 14 and 15, David is vivid in describing his feelings. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is turned to wax. It is melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death. David knew how to Acknowledge his feelings of pain and anguish, and he didn't hold back. But there's a key element in sharing our emotions and hurts. David went to God first. He wasn't venting his feelings to any stranger who would listen. He was going to the only one who would know his pain. This leads us to our next point, which is to seek God's comfort over man's. This doesn't mean you can't go to loved ones when you're in need. God has provided you with a community for a reason. But it is Jesus who swings the tides of tragedy. It is he who calms the storms and heals the leper. Before you rush to the arms of people, feel the embrace of your heavenly Father. Next, we are called to trust in God's promises. What's the difference between godly mourning and despair?

[Narrator]

Hope.

[Ethan (Host)]

Romans chapter 5, verses 3 through 5 says not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance and perseverance, proven character and proven character. Hope. And hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. We don't weep as victims of tragedy. We mourn as people who feel deeply but also know that there is hope. Hagar's encounter with the angel reminds us of God's faithfulness in our times of sorrow. We should hold on to God's promises, knowing that he is with us and has a plan for our future. Next, we must live with empathy. We are called to be a community that supports one another through life's challenges. This means creating a safe space for people to express their grief and offering the support they need to find comfort and hope in God. Sarai was mourning the lack of a child and desperately needed comfort. Unfortunately, Abram was too oblivious to see it. Sometimes people who suffer can't see the suffering of others. Their hurt blinds them to the needs of others. May this never be so with us. Mourning for the brokenness of the world means living with a heart of empathy. We should actively seek to understand and alleviate the pain of those around us. Advocating for justice, mercy and love in all of our interactions as we reflect on Jesus. Words Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. And the story of Hagar's divine encounter in the desert. Let us embrace the depth of God's comfort and extend it to others. May we, as citizens of heaven, live with the character of Jesus, feeling deeply for the sorrows of the world and offering the hope and comfort that comes from our Heavenly Father. Let us pray for the strength to be both recipients and givers of God's profound comfort. Thanks again for listening. If you haven't yet followed or subscribed to our podcast, be sure to do so. It makes sure you never miss an episode, but it also helps us get discovered by more people. Thanks for joining us.

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[Ethan (Host)]

Carvania stood haloed by the morning sun. An army hung on her every word.

[Sarai]

My champions, I have sold my chariot on Carvana. Twas a lovely suv, an inexplicably queenly off. They're even coming to the castle to collect it. Tonight we feast. An offer you can feast on.

[Advertiser]

Sell your car today on Carvana. Pick up fees may apply

[Pharmaceutical Advertiser]

Athletic Brewing Company crafts award winning non alcoholic beers for those who want to be part of every round. With over 185 flavor awards, they're exceptional NA beers that fit your lifestyle and any social occasion. Summer's full of good times and Athletic fits right in. Go to athleticbrewing.com to have brews delivered to your door or find them at a bar, restaurant or store near you. Near beer Athletic Brewing Co. Fit for all times.

[Advertiser]

One crunchy bite of a Hershey's Cookies and cream bar and I'm taken right back to college.

[Sarai]

Move in.

[Advertiser]

Day I was a little overwhelmed by the newness of it all. Boxes were everywhere. I knew I needed a break from unpacking, but just as I was able to take a breath and open my Hershey's Cookies and Cream bar, my new roommate Rachel walked in. I offered her a piece, but she said no. Then after a beat, she said, actually, those are my favorite ones. We left, the ice was broken and we've been friends ever since. Hershey's. It's your happy place.