Who or What is the God in your life?

I started working in a Bible Study book tonight called No Other Gods Confronting Your Modern Day Idols. It was written by Kelly Minter. I know absolutely nothing about her, except that this book is hard-core in a very nonchalant way. I actually kind of thought this would be just an interesting and light-hearted look at where we truly put our focus. If I had really thought that through I might not have bought this book. Session One, Day One ends with a note to jot down “any penetrating or new realizations you had.”

Here is what I just wrote in my journal:

The First Commandment is the most important. God is the ultimate power. Everything comes from Him. If our focus in life is not God, then we are only living on the surface. Everything is shallow. There’s no deep meaning because ultimately we are serving ourselves. We have become our own god. (I think I use the term we because it makes me feel like I am not alone in this.)

It’s the last sentence that has really brought me low. To come to the realization that we become so self-absorbed we essentially begin to function as a god in our life. We think we know best – not just for ourselves but for our children as well.

It’s hard to think that what I deem best for my child may not be what God has in store for her. I can say that I want what’s best, but what I am saying is that I really want what I want. I want what I think is best, not what God thinks is best. I am a control freak! I know that and it makes it extremely difficult to turn life over to God.

A Truly Beautiful Love Story

I printed some information from www.desiringgod.org and was reading it at lunch today. Anyway, I was reading a few verses and became caught up in one in particular. It is 1 Samuel 2:2. The English Standard Version says, “There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” I flipped back a page to read the first verse and noticed the heading is entitled Hannah’s Prayer.

Sidenote – I am always amazed at how much I can remember from some book of fiction that I read a long time ago, but the fact that I have read 1 Samuel before and I don’t remember this prayer really bothered me today.

Anyway, I went to chapter 1 and started reading a beautiful love story. Here’s how it goes:

Hannah was married to Elkanah, but they had no children together. Elkanah had children from another wife named Peninnah. Each year they would go to make their sacrifice to God and each year Elkanah would give portions to Peninnah and her children. But because of his love for Hannah he gave her twice as much. (I’m thinking at least a five pound box of chocolates here!)

Now, Peninnah was not very nice. She made Hanna’s life miserable. She would provoke Hannah and cause her to cry. But Elkanah loved Hannah and would try to cheer her up. (You just have to set aside how you feel about polygamy. I thought this was incredibly sweet.)

So this one time, Hannah went to pray and the priest, Eli, was there and thought that she was drunk because she was praying fervently to herself. Verse 13 says that “…only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard.” Hannah asked God to remember her and give her a son and she would give him to God. Eli actually blesses Hannah in verse 17. He says, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” (English Standard Version once again.)

And yes, Hannah became pregnant and had a son and named him Samuel. Hannah followed through on the vow she made when she prayed for a son. She took Samuel to Eli where he stayed and ministered. Obviously Hannah being a mom, she never forgot her son. She would take him a robe every year they went to sacrifice. 1 Samuel 2:20 tells us that Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife. He asked God to give Elkanah and Hannah children because of her petition to God. Hannah ended up having three sons and two daughters.(Bet Peninnah didn't pick on her anymore!)

I love this story. Hannah had the courage to pick herself up after being bullied by Peninnah and petition God for what she wanted most – a child. But, the most impressive thing she did was to willingly promise to give her son back to God. Now, here is where I come full circle to what we have been studying at church. We have been talking about prayer. I know that most of my prayers seem to center around what I want or need or think I need. But here is a woman who desperately wants a child and rather than keeping him, she gives him up. Not only does Hannah give up her son, she goes on to say this beautiful prayer in Chapter 2 praising God. Hannah didn’t ask for more children, but she was blessed with them.

In a nutshell:

Hannah longed for a child and asked God to bless her with a son. She asked him for what she truly needed and wanted most and then she willingly returned that gift to God. She gave up the very thing she had most longed for to serve the Lord. And then, instead of railing against God she praised God for who He is and what He does.

I think that is a truly beautiful love story.

Peggy Noonan

I occasionally read the op ed pieces in The Wall Street Journal. By far my favorite writer is Peggy Noonan. If you have never read anything she has written, you are sorely deprived. She has a very eloquent way of writing. Some people sound pompous and arrogant, but not Ms. Noonan. She has the true gift of being able to paint a picture with words. If you get a chance, read the op ed piece about the Omaha Beach landing that was posted on July 5, 2008, or just go to her website - www.peggynoonan.com.

I Have An Itch

This is my favorite picture from my trip to the zoo last Wednesday.