Today’s Reflection
After Samuel was born, I rather fancy Hannah regretted the promise to share him. She named him, dutifully, after his origins in her prayer, her petition; but for years afterward she hid him in her bosom, as though God would never find him there. Back and forth Hannah walked in her mind, pacing the floor in the night when he cried with colic, hiding in the halls by day as though God were hiding in the sunlight, waiting to surprise her with her promise: “Hannah! You said he was mine!”
When her husband, Elkanah, went up to Shiloh to offer his annual sacrifice and all his household with him, Hannah hung back, pretending sleep, faking the flu, hugging the child to her breast like a shield. She said, “I will go when I have weaned him.”
—Rosalind C. Hughes, A Family Like Mine: Biblical Stories of Love, Loss, and Longing (Upper Room Books, 2020)
Today’s Question
When have you negotiated with God? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
[Hannah] made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants,and no razor shall touch his head.”
—1 Samuel 1:11 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
God of infinite love, thank you for loving us even before we were born. Help us to realize that your family has room for each of us. Guide us to accept ourselves and others as we seek to grow closer to you. Amen.
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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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3 Comments
Perhaps as recently as yesterday. I came home to watch the soccer game instead of staying to help at church. Am going back today to help.
Have work to do on CBT as well . It’s been a tough day and night. Erich frustrated, high wind advisory,, the passing of my wife’s aunt, and my daughter and granddaughter with strep. Off to beget a sympathy card and some supplies needed at church. Thankfully the wind has died down. Advent starts tomorrow.May you have a blessed Advent as we patiently await the coming of the Lord
I honestly don’t remember. I am more likely to cry out to God and basically beg. I’m sure he knows fulll well the failings of humans and that we have a tendency to make false promises in the moment.
Megan and I did many errands yesterday. We went to the grocery store knowing it would be virtually empty. We were correct. We have more to do today but also have tasks to do at home. Last weekend we bought a Christmas tree and we need to make sure it works. I have a new Advent wreath to set up as well. I agree with you Jill about decorating with kittens in the house as we had already decided not to put up the new tree this year.
I can’t recall bargaining with God, although I imagine I did it in my adolescence, as my faith was not grounded. Somehow I came to a place where I consider surrender. Maybe my “bargaining” is not being willing to surrender, when I know that is called for.
Becky, dad and Don came to see the kitties today. They were timid at first, but then eventually got up to their old antics. We spent the day bemoaning OSU’s loss to Michigan while playing cards. We continued to watch football and play games. I wasn’t expecting them to be here past 7, but it is fine that they were.
I have managed to do no grading these past 4 days. Suppose I must do it tomorrow while watching more (likely disappointing) football. These days off have been nice. I haven’t left the house these past two days, which is quite glorious. The week ahead is busy.
Yes, Advent begins tomorrow. May we open our hearts to celebrate His coming.
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