A Humble Heart is Better Than A Long-Winded Prayer |
FAITH SOUP She believes in her way, pouring out her faith in golden bowls. Carrots for a sunny hope, parsley for renewed life, flesh of bird for strength of spirit. onion for perserverence. She stirs as she prays, willing her own strength into the broth. Skim off the bad with the sieve, leave golden goodness to be injested. Food prayers are what she does best. Too shy to ask and make verbal contact. Her spirit talks in culinary prayers. Those who are served by her know. Without words they know. But her whispered prayers are heard in her kitchen. Is she less sanctified because of it? No. God knows her heart. It speaks to him. He listens. He speaks to her. She answers in duty and motion. Quiet prayers stir inside her. On a stove she stirs a faith soup. author's notes: Hannah prayed for a child many years before the LORD answered her.God caused the prophet Eli hear Hannah whispering and crying. He saw her distress and inquired about it. He blessed Hannah's brokenhearted persistance and ended her infertility. The result? The Mighty prophet Samuel was born! God hears the whisper in the night as clearly as the shout in the morning. It is the heart that matters. 1 Samuel 1:13- 20- Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. SamAnd Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of evil: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant [thee] thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no longer sad. And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, [saying], Because I have asked him of the LORD. |