I have had the privilege the past 23 hours to sit in on several sessions of READ IT THROUGH IN 72. As we have been reading through the Bible, God has been encouraging me, convicting me, loving me, reminding me, and blessing me. This morning, while Nancy Meadows was reading 1 Samuel 1:1-27 about Hannah (struggling with infertility) praying for a child, she began to weep. The passage began to speak personally to her soul. Nancy is the mother of four daughters, and eight grandkids. As she continued to read through her tears, I was reminded that her oldest daugther also struggled through infertility. Maybe her tears were connected to Hannah’s heart. Perhaps she was identifying with a heart of a mother. Or maybe she was reminded of her daughter’s prayers for children. This past summer, God answered her daugther Kim’s prayer. Kim became the mother of four through adoption this past summer. I believe Nancy’s tears were tears of understanding and now tears of joy.
“In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:10
“So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying because I asked the Lord for him.” 1 Samuel 1:20
When Nancy finished that chapter, it was my turn to read. I was so moved by her personal connection to the passage because this passage had meant so much to me and my spiritual journey. Pam and I struggled with infertility for over 2 years. We too prayed and cried out to God for the blessing of a child. Our hearts ached with the reality that we might not have children. We read and claimed this passage of scripture not knowing what would happen. We decided that when a child was born, we would have a Samuel or a Hannah.
Well 12 years later, you know that life would not be the same without Hannah. As soon as Nancy finished her reading, I stepped up to the mic to read, and my wife Pam walked into the church. As I read 1 Samuel 2, my wife walked down the people street to come and listen. The timing could not have been any more perfect.
God’s Word is living! I love hearing God speak!
Amen Todd I was priviledged enough to come and read during the 6pm hour this evening @ Chroniciles 11-28 I was blessed to have read through 3 chapters (sorry guys) I really love to read out loud and if given the time could have read all of the chapters but that is being greedy gonna get it for that. There was a lot of idol worshiping going on in those chapters and it reminded me of what is going on in this country right now with the president, with how we revere hollywood and all that it brings and so many other things. This country needs to get back to its roots it is quickly loosing its self. As the time passes since Michael Jacksons death and I see all of the magazines doing one story after another I wonder what would be the headlines and cover stories if Jesus was born into this time an crucified? Imagine what it would be like with the news media? Most of it would probably be bad press, but think about it picture the cover of Time, Newsweek or any other popular magzine of today how do you think the cover would look I have thought about this often. Well if this gets any longer no one will want to read it time to get off of my soap box. Thank you God and Pastor Todd for that amazingly wonderful fulfilling hour, couldn’t think of a place I’d rather be. Then with God and his people reading his glorious word.
Yes….you read my heart, Todd. Did you know that, before adopting, Kimberly, literally dreamed, repeatedly of having a daughter named Lydia. She asked her sisters to save that name for her and Tony. God gave her “confirmation” of HIS plans for their adoption when the documents were translated AFTER the court gave them custody of the children. Tears filled Kim’s eyes as she was told the mother of her children’s name, you guessed it, Lydia! Her words were…”there’s my Lydia!” How personal is our God? PTL for HIS amazing grace!
Love you, Todd. Nancy