The Withholding

Sometimes God withholds, when He does, often the gift is even greater than when He gives. That doesn't mean I like it. At least in the moment, but this isn't a new thing for God. Think for a moment the season when Hannah was unable to get pregnant in 1 Samuel. As if that wasn't enough, others piled on, adding to the pain.

“This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?" – 1 Samuel 1:7-8

You can’t help but see the obvious pain Hannah is experiencing. In this time period, to bear children was one of the most culturally significant things a woman could do, and Hannah was unable. She was tormented not only by this reality, but also other women.

Yet in her pain, she had a husband who loved her much. In fact, scripture leads us to see that he loved her most and had felt deep empathy for her (vs.5). And she missed that. I guess my short thought for today is to make sure in our moment of thinking about what we don’t have, that we don’t miss out on what we do have.

With the 700 Billion dollar bailout on everyone’s mind, I’ve heard from many evangelical leaders that although this could have a terrible financial impact on many, it could be one of the best things that could happen to our personal faith and the corporate church. I don’t know if that is true… or if that is even part of God’s agenda. Certainly any trial can sharpen our faith. But, as I said at the beginning, the one thing I do know is that sometimes God withholds, when He does, often the gift is even greater than when He gives.

What about Women

Women are an amazing gift from God. If we see them as anything less, we are idiots. Women are a critical part of not only our lives, but also the church. It’s been that way from the beginning. Their commitment, intuition, and influence are at times, simply unparalleled. It’s a shame when we think of them as anything less than those who “together built up the house of Israel.” I can’t help but hear the story of Ruth and Naomi and think about the impact women of the world, from Phoebe of the NT to Mother Teresa. God has used their faith to radically impact the Church as we know it.

“Then the elders and all those at the gate said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel.” – Ruth 4:11

And what about our own “personal” world? If it wasn’t for the faith of my Mom, I don’t know where I’d be. If it wasn’t for the faith of my wife… geeze, I can’t even imagine.

So today, in a world that de-values the role of women… I simply celebrate them. I celebrate and thank God for their ministry. I’m thankful for my wife Jen, who followed God’s calling and found His favor as an author and speaker. I pick on her sometimes and call her “Jen Hatmaker .com” (especially when she’s getting bossy). But I’m truly thankful for her ministry and all she’s contributed to my life and ministry. She’s more than a compliment to me, she’s the perfect gift.

Fella’s out there… you hear me?