Ancient women

 

Usually, we read tales of ancient war heroes and men who paved the way for civilization.  The Bible is full of historic accounts of those who certainly played that part.  But within those stories are also accounts of women, often nameless, who demonstrated unbelievable compassion, faith, hope and endurance.  Because of them, children were conceived, born or revived, and husbands were spared from death or other near death disasters.  I have often wondered why some of these women are only known by their role in ancient culture, i.e. the widow; or they are identified only from where they lived, i.e the Shunammite.  Perhaps it is the genre of ancient literature.  But their courage and faith encourages me.

Overcoming the odds is always inspiring.  I think that is why I enjoy come back sports stories so well. When the competitor is the underdog, the old legend, the one past his/her prime, victory is ever so much sweeter.  I guess I like to think of myself as such.  It's interesting that the older you get, you actually seem to relate to yourself as the younger you.  But sometimes that younger self was much too naive and innocent with life.

Playing golf yesterday in the summer humidity, I realized that I don't fear any more with using my longer clubs.  I used to be apprehensive with my 3 wood, because I couldn't seem to strike it just right.  But now I take it out of the bag, and use it regularly, usually with a good ball strike.  Life doesn't need to be feared.  You do what you need to do, not letting your insecurity direct your path.  When going forward, you realize that so much more can be accomplished.  You have to take that initiative even when it may feel terribly uncomfortable.  In doing so, I've even discovered joy . . .

I wish the women had names.  I so admire their loyalty and love they had for their families.  The Shunammite woman had a hunch that Elisha was a "holy man of God."  She offered him kind hospitality in giving him a room to stay in whenever he came to town, as well as a nice hot meal.  She like so many other ancient women, seemed to be infertile, as she and her husband had no son.  And of course her husband was old, so perhaps hope was gone for any future heir.  But Elisha tells her, "just wait, by this time next year, you'll have a son."  And of course, she does! 

The son grows up, and working in the field with his father one day, falls ill.  He's brought immediately to his mother who cradles him on her lap for hours until, unfortunately, he dies.  But she boldly takes him upstairs and lays him on Elisha's bed.  With no time to fail, without even telling her husband, she saddles up the donkey, and tells her servant to drive them as fast as possible, "don't slow down on account of me!" She finds Elisha and falls before him, clinging to his feet, reminding him of his promise to her of a son.  Reminding him, that she didn't want to be deceived with a false promise.  Elisha responds and with time, healing warmth and breath returns to her son.  She shows tremendous gratitude and thankfulness and takes back her son.  What an inspiration to be reminded of the endurance, hope, faith, compassion and care of women!  (II Kings 4: 8-37)

I too am probably nameless in the pages of history.  But I hope that those who may read this will be encouraged to believe and trust God with all your whole heart.  Knowing that to do so, requires action in which at times we will need to run going forward, not looking to the past, but instead clinging to the promises of God, even in the face of death.  You have to trust your swing, even with the long clubs, and realize that wherever you land, "God's got this!"