Spiritual Minute: Daily Devotional
In my younger years I had the ability to break up with people (so I thought) without being hurt. If I thought our relationship was in danger, I would break up with you before you thought about breaking up with me. I was always protecting my emotions and part of that dysfunctional behavior was because I did not have good coping skills in my level of communication with others. As I have matured, I learned that all of us have the ability, to agree to disagree. Part of that ability comes from us being honest with our feeling and addressing them for what they really are.
I am aware that I'm probably dating myself, but how many can remember the TV show " To Tell The Truth"? Yep, this was back in the day when Lucy and Ricky slept in separate beds. When the fuzz came on the TV screen after a certain hour and you turned off the TV because there was nothing else to watch.
The game was this- three challengers were introduced, all claiming to be a specific person. There would be celebrity panelists who were given a period of time to question the challengers to try and ascertain which two were the actual impostors. After questioning was completed, each member of the panel votes on which of the challengers they believe was the authentic person. Once the votes were in, the host would ask, "Will the real person please stand up?" Many times to my surprise I would pick the wrong person, because the imposter's were really good at pretending. The fact of the matter is that there are many persons that are better at pretending than ever being who they really are.
My mediation for today has been penetrating my heart for the past week as I have re read this scripture multiple times over the past several days. It's found in I Samuel 1:10 - "and she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore".
If you read the text, you'll find Hannah who is a sister that most would look at and say, look at your house, look at your car, look at your bank account, look at your boo, why in the world are you unhappy? It's like all the people who became depressed after they realized they did not have the power ball numbers, because they thought all I need is money and my life will be better. Hannah would be able to testify money alone cannot make you happy.
Hannah had to be thinking if anybody should understand my pain, my man should get this. She goes to her husband and he spins it like a record. Hannah was probably looking at him saying- "You So Vain You Probably Think This Pain Is About You". He does not address her issue, but begins to tell her how good he is to her. His lack of understanding takes her over the top, as he responds to her misery with the question- what are you crying about?
While he might have had a justifiable comment, as he really was giving her more than his other wife, it did not erase the fact that Hannah had an issue that a pair of Christian Louboutin could not take away. That getting up and putting on that Giorgio Armani suit would not help. Her soul was hurting and she was feeling sorrow. So the bible says, she prays and weeps. I know the world tells us "don't cry, wipe your eyes", but here is real talk, you can't fix what you won't face!
So she goes back to church. Yeah service is over, but Pastor Eli is still there. He sees her mouth is opening, but no words are coming out. He thinks she's drunk. I can imagine Hannah is saying, no disrespect Pastor Eli, but I attended both services today, and I feel none the better. This is my imagination, but can you see her thinking now that I had a conversation with others, I need to have a conversation with God.
I don't know if Eli was trying to lock up the church and he had waited long enough, but the bible says , he asked her a question. How long are you going to be drunk? Hannah's response, don't get it twisted, I'm not a daughter of Belial (worthless), in distress, yet I STILL know who I am.
She might have gone to church earlier, doing the fake it till I make it. She might have participated in the slap your neighbor and tell them "I am blessed and highly favored", but NOW Pastor Eli has to see her for who she really is. Hannah says I came here messed up. I'm sorrowful, feeling an abundance of grief, and I have poured out my heart to the Lord! The bible says Eli responds to her truth and says, go in peace and God is going to give you what you asked.
Oooh Whee, read the text ya'll! It says she eats, her countenance changes, and she was sad no more. The bible says the next morning her and hubby worship and than they get busy. You'll know the rest, God granted her request!
The Lord gave me all of that to give somebody this - don't let your tears become your fears. Pour out, but than let God pour in.
Selah
