Devotional 11-8-13

Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.’ 1 Samuel 1:17

 The night was still thick and heavy
 across the land.
 The sun was only a hoped for light.
 Hannah couldn't sleep.
 She traveled with her husband.
 They were returning home.

 In the darkness, she touched flame
 to kindling,
 encouraging the fire to burn again
 in the dark.

 Her life had been hopeless, empty,
 but now, the spark of Eli's words
 burned small and tiny in her mind.
 "Go in peace,
 God will grant your petition."

 She blew gently on the flame
 to keep it alive,
 as she prayed for the hope within her
 to continue to burn.

 Was it better, to wait now in the midst of hope,
 fearful that the hope would die within her?
 Or was the security of hopelessness better,
 without the fear of loss?
 She blew the gentle breath of prayer on the flame within her.
 "Please, God..."

 To wait.  To hope. To fear.
 To fear even to believe.

Kim Matthews