Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Mother (as in maternal parent) (04/24/08)
-
TITLE: One Blessed Day | Previous Challenge Entry
By
04/29/08 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
We walked in silent meditation on the dirt road from the hill country toward the temple. My heart ached over how empty my arms felt that year. My thoughts turned to my husband. Elkanah was a good man and he worked hard to provide for his household. “Elki” loved me, and even made special efforts to spend time alone with me. I watched him play and chase the children when he returned home. How I longed for a child of my own.
Although we were married for several years, we had no children. Our families expected me to get pregnant within our first year of marriage, and we did try. The midwife told me to eat passion fruits and mandrakes the day we were together. I tried everything, even standing on my head, but years later, I still had not produced any children.
We reached the temple area, set out our baskets and began preparing the feast meal. Peninnah, the children’s mother, taunted me as we set out the food. That day was no different than any other day. “Why aren’t you pregnant yet?” she sneered. She seemed to know what words hurt the most. “You are a worthless woman....Elkanah only keeps you because he feels sorry or you,” sharp, cutting words. Tears flooded my eyes, I couldn’t take it anymore. I gathered my cloak and ran to hide.
“Elki” found me huddled beneath the olive trees, “I thought I’d find you here.” He stretched his arm around my shoulders. “Honey, please don’t let her get to you. Come eat with us,” he pleaded.
“You don’t know what its like,” I sobbed. “She doesn’t say those things in front of you. You never see the faces she makes at me or hear the snide remarks when we gather water at the well. I watch you playing with your children, and I want you to have a child from me. The other mothers at the market don’t talk with me. They act like Yahweh cursed me.” Leaning on “Elki” I asked, “May I have a special prayer in the temple this year?”
“Whatever you would like, my love” “Elki” replied. “I wish you would not get so upset. Am I not better to you than 10 sons?” Lifting my head, I kissed his cheek. Then we went to share our feast.
After the meal, I asked “Elki”, “May I go pray in the temple now?” He nodded.
I walked in to the temple, and the tears returned as I kneeled. I prayed silently, “Yahweh, please look on my affliction and remember your servant. If you will be kind and give me a son, I will give him to your service all his days”.
While I was praying, Eli the Priest came over to rebuke me. He watched me crying and actually thought I was drunk! I felt like the most misunderstood woman in our village! After I explained my prayer, he blessed me saying, “May the Lord grant you your request.”
I rose and wiped my eyes. A new peace came over me that day. I believed God heard my prayer. As we left the temple, “Elki” reached out and held my hand. For the first time in years, Peninnah’s words fell on deaf ears.
Shortly after we returned home, “Elki” and I had a date together. Did we have fun! A couple weeks later, I woke up, sick. “It must be something I ate,” I thought. But by noon, I was better. This went on for three days. I finally went to see the village doctor. On the way, the Lord reminded me of my prayer at the temple. A new joy filled my soul! I turned around and ran back home. “‘Elki’” I called, “Elkanah!” I rushed past Peninnah who was kneading bread in the doorway. I called, “‘Elki’!” Yahweh remembered me! I’m going to be a mother!”
“Oh, Hannah!” Elkanah cried, and we embraced.
When our son was born, we named him “Samuel” because “I asked him of the Lord.”
Author’s note: This story was adapted from I Samuel chapter 1.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.