Walk With Me #Deararn.

When You Gather

What do we do when we gather together in church? What should we do when we are together?

What does the bible recommend?

What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up. If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern. But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent. For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints, let your wives keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says. 1 Corinthians 14:26-34

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YOU WILL MARRY WELL

GODS LADY IN WAITING

WALK WITH ME IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS

Lessons On The Way

Driving on the freeway, there are loads of signs. Some billboards spread across the whole freeway, some are just barely legible. Some you see clearly from afar, for some you must slow down to make out what has been written. Life talks daily. Some days the sound is so loud a deaf man can hear. Other days, you could barely hear the whisper. Yet, you need to hear all that speech to be able to make it through life.

Are your senses sharpened? Do you even listen? What voices govern your decisions? Where are you in this journey of life? Is this your morning? Are you in midlife? Is the sun setting yet at your end?

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. (Psalms 19:1-4)

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech (Proverbs 1:20-21)

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud (Proverbs 8:1-3)

Some lessons are learned just walking paths; some are right at the gates whilst some you must dig through tunnels. As varied as we are, we find that God has left for each one of us lessons on the Freeways of life. Whatever we do, we must pay attention. The billboards of life are just as important as the handbills. Some milestones are legible, others have seen better days and so can barely be seen. What we must bear in mind, however, is whether it's the written signs or the faded ink on the milestone, we need the information to go through life.

Sometimes, you must run, other times walking is just fine and yet some other time, you must slowly tread. Wherever you are now, you must read the signs, heed the warnings or you may be sorry. Seeing that there is time for everything under the sun, we must ensure that we do not do in the morning what should happen in the evening. I say again, my friend, pay attention. Read the signposts! Your life guide, God the Holy Spirit, is ever so willing to show you what you need to know. Embrace Him and don't ignore Him. He holds the signs.

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STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS

My Grace Is Sufficient

…or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Lying on his side and craving some peace, he wondered how long? He had been bedridden for the past six months. The tests revealed nothing concrete, yet he knew he was not well.

Some friends insinuated he had some secret faults that God was choosing to judge. Some others advised he seek some alternative medicine.

He searched and searched and could not come up with why heaven was keeping quiet on his issue.

A missionary for the past twenty years, David tried his best to stay faithful to his calling. He loved his mission field, and he adored his master, Jesus. He thought they were close and heaven would let him in on any matter that was happening in and around him; until six months ago. What changed? He was clueless and in a lot of pain.

Every time he prayed about his sickness, heaven was silent. Not knowing what to do, he resigned himself to trust that one day, God would respond.

Even though David could hardly pull himself out of bed, it seemed his healing anointing took a greater dimension. There was hardly ever any matter needing Gods healing touch that he prayed for that did not record a miracle.

What now, Lord? What are you doing, and why are you keeping me in the dark? He had many questions that begged answers.

This fateful night though, God chose to answer David, and His words were few. 'Trust me; I have you covered'. Hardly a satisfactory answer, but seeing this was God speaking, it had to be enough.

He resigned himself, pledged allegiance to the God again. Like Job Sammy declared;

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

(Job 13:15(KJV)

Beloved, if your life begged answers if you have had to stay awake, trying to make sense of a very senseless situation. Know that you are hardly alone.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13KJV)

There is always a way out. Take heart beloved, be bold be strong for The Lord our God is with you.

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YOU WILL MARRY WELL

GODS LADY IN WAITING

WALK WITH ME IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS

Go In This Thy Might…A Look 
At Gideon's Life.

The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help. (Judges 6:1-6)

The Israelites, were Gods chosen people, the nation with the covenant. Their rules of engagement were simple, to obey God, keep His commands, serve no foreign gods, and they and their land would be fine. If they did otherwise, they would be handed over to the mercy of their enemies. The nation would face the judgement of God until they repented of their sins and returned. In Judges chapter 6, we learn that the people had gone off again and were having to face the wrath of God; the Midianites were Gods weapon of choice. They were ruthless, demanding, oppressive and wicked. The past seven years were hard on God’s people. Life became so bad, they lived in hiding, made their dwelling in caves, strongholds and dens.

Whatever they owned, their oppressors plundered. Life and living became unbearable hard.

...but the way of transgressors is hard. ( Proverbs 13:15b KJV)

When the Israelites cried out to the LORD because of Midian, he sent them a prophet, who said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.” (Judges 6:7-10)

The people cried, and God heard. No matter how far out we have gone or how deeply entrenched we may be in sin when we cry out to God, He hears us, answers and sends deliverance.

He sent a prophet to the children of Israel, who reminded of how they got to their present state and why there was a need to suffer the consequences.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

That God’s people chose to go their ways was also a source of pain for God, but because He is just and must punish sin, there was no choice but to allow them to suffer the repercussion of the ways. But when they cried out and turned from their wickedness, God sent His word; His word located a man, a vessel fit for the master’s use.

Let's meet him. Gideon, son of Joash, an Abiezrite was in his land threshing wheat in a wine press.

The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:11-12)

When a people or an individual is under judgement, many things become inconvenient.

He felt the burden, lived the hardship, the people’s travail was heavy.

Gideon felt very inadequate, the troubles of the land were many, and what could he, one solitary man from the backwoods of nowhere do in the face of such oppression?

God knowing that He had the heart of a deliverer chose Gideon as the man of the hour. You wonder how I know; Gideon knew their history, understood that God was awesome

Iron Gate and The Wooden Door-Peter’s Gate And Rhoda’s Door

The title of a sermon I heard preached by a reverend gentleman over thirty years ago. The message touched the core of my being then and has kept finding its way to the fore time and time again in my life. Have you ever seen yourself in situations where God had moved and those who should know would not budge or they out rightly disapprove? What would you do when the jail gates swing open of their own accord yet a mere door would not? Imagine an all-night prayer meeting dedicated to an issue and when the answer arrived, and people who were supposed to be in faith were disbelieving. Dare we confront the faithlessness in church and risk being labelled? Listen to the words of some of our prayers and in them, discover why they never got answered. They were riddled with fear and unbelief!

(Acts 12:1-18)

The times for the believers were perilous. Too many bad news, they had already lost some of their members to unjust death. Now, Peter was being held in prison. They did what most church folk would do, called an all-night prayer meeting and cried unto God for some intervention. What they were in need of, only God could do, the times were bad and the nights were long. There was fear everywhere, how else would we explain their locking themselves in? The church was being vexed and that, in no small measure. They did not stand a chance and so they resorted to prayer. What were they saying, who were they saying it to? The events that followed would supply answers to our quest. Notice, the leaders were engrossed in the prayers. They let a little girl man door.

Go in your mind to the prison, Herod had four quaternions keep Peter in. Tell me which of the two camps meant business? I know you would argue that the church did not need strength to carry out its assignment but I would answer and ask you, did they know that? Did their actions portray faith or fear? The records showed that Peter got a miracle; we can assume that it was because they were praying but were they paying attention or watching at all.

There was drama in Peter’s release; the mission had to be carried out by an angel. I believe this showed how important the mission was. The guy was dazed but pleasantly so; he rushed to meet his brethren. Now let’s pause to consider this – this was a guy that chains and storks had fallen off of him, been led by an angel through jail cells, surely the rest of the world was ready for the taking. He got to the door and there was a small girl, not even a boy! Remember this guy had been walking with an angel earlier. Sound familiar? I thought so!

The girl out of excitement ran back inside without opening the door. I am sure there were times you knew you had hit a gusher only to find a cap at the well. She announced her find and guess what, the elders considered her mad? Pray, should elders not be discerning? Having prayed all night, should the spirit not be so thick someone would pick the good news even before Peter showed up? Miss “little girl”, my advice to you is this: never lose your vision even if every other person does not see. What you have seen, you truly have seen. You should not have to give it up because old sages do not believe you.

Selah!

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YOU WILL MARRY WELL

GODS LADY IN WAITING

WALK WITH ME IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS

Iron Gate and The Wooden Door-Peter’s Gate And Rhoda’s Door

The title of a sermon I heard preached by a reverend gentleman over thirty years ago. The message touched the core of my being then and has kept finding its way to the fore time and time again in my life. Have you ever seen yourself in situations where God had moved and those who should know would not budge or they out rightly disapprove? What would you do when the jail gates swing open of their own accord yet a mere door would not? Imagine an all-night prayer meeting dedicated to an issue and when the answer arrived, and people who were supposed to be in faith were disbelieving. Dare we confront the faithlessness in church and risk being labelled? Listen to the words of some of our prayers and in them, discover why they never got answered. They were riddled with fear and unbelief!

(Acts 12:1-18)

The times for the believers were perilous. Too many bad news, they had already lost some of their members to unjust death. Now, Peter was being held in prison. They did what most church folk would do, called an all-night prayer meeting and cried unto God for some intervention. What they were in need of, only God could do, the times were bad and the nights were long. There was fear everywhere, how else would we explain their locking themselves in? The church was being vexed and that, in no small measure. They did not stand a chance and so they resorted to prayer. What were they saying, who were they saying it to? The events that followed would supply answers to our quest. Notice, the leaders were engrossed in the prayers. They let a little girl man door.

Go in your mind to the prison, Herod had four quaternions keep Peter in. Tell me which of the two camps meant business? I know you would argue that the church did not need strength to carry out its assignment but I would answer and ask you, did they know that? Did their actions portray faith or fear? The records showed that Peter got a miracle; we can assume that it was because they were praying but were they paying attention or watching at all.

There was drama in Peter’s release; the mission had to be carried out by an angel. I believe this showed how important the mission was. The guy was dazed but pleasantly so; he rushed to meet his brethren. Now let’s pause to consider this – this was a guy that chains and storks had fallen off of him, been led by an angel through jail cells, surely the rest of the world was ready for the taking. He got to the door and there was a small girl, not even a boy! Remember this guy had been walking with an angel earlier. Sound familiar? I thought so!

The girl out of excitement ran back inside without opening the door. I am sure there were times you knew you had hit a gusher only to find a cap at the well. She announced her find and guess what, the elders considered her mad? Pray, should elders not be discerning? Having prayed all night, should the spirit not be so thick someone would pick the good news even before Peter showed up? Miss “little girl”, my advice to you is this: never lose your vision even if every other person does not see. What you have seen, you truly have seen. You should not have to give it up because old sages do not believe you.

Selah!

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YOU WILL MARRY WELL

GODS LADY IN WAITING

WALK WITH ME IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS

Be strong:" Two words we will hear at some point in our sojourn in life. Words that in themselves embody communication that goes beyond the surface. It does not matter what situation of life placed a demand on the strength stored within. When there is a pull for strength, it is most likely life presenting us with opportunities to stretch and unleash new levels of growth and development.

The process may present itself as challenges, trials, tribulations or pain; the purpose is always to bring us out into the newness of life. We get re-introduced to ourselves as most times we are unaware of the depths of our being and what heights the human being is capable of attaining.

The events that lead to the need for strength may manifest as long nights and many questions. There may be feelings of aloneness and overwhelming neediness.

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! (Proverbs 24:10)

The call for attention at such times is usually an indication that we need to reach into the depths of our being to pull out some strength and release what is planted within us.

An analogy that brings this home is that of a baby about to be born. There is a lot of agitation in the mothers' womb that manifests as loads of pain and discomfort.

The womb, at that point, is host to turbulence that makes the child restless and need to move out of the cubicle that had been a place of refuge and comfort for several months. The haven would then become a place to escape from. The mother and baby would be uncomfortable; the midwives would be at attention; everyone anticipating what was about to be revealed.

This process, for the baby and the mother, is intense and sometimes may feel like the very throes of death.

The rumblings result in the baby's expulsion from the place that had been a comfortable home for the past nine months. Suddenly, what used to be all dark gives way to all light. A new world greets the baby who was once alone or at most with a few others in the watery abyss. Now it is welcome into a world full of people, wonders and new horizons. The wonders of transformation!

The mother also is ushered into a realm of new experiences, a new life wholly packaged with unique credentials.

Nobody in the process remains the same. The purpose is to increase, multiply, become new and better.

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YOU WILL MARRY WELL

GODS LADY IN WAITING

WALK WITH ME IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS

Ancient Words.....Michael W. Smith. Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive 
all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer 
the fruit of our lips (Hosea 14:2)

Dave: Good morning Baba, I am here again and this time I have a lot to say. You know it is the beginning of another year, I have written my goals and I know you will grant them.

BABA: I thought you learnt your lesson?

Dave: What lesson was I supposed to have learnt, Baba? There were many knocks last year so I don't know which lesson you mean.

BABA: I move by my word not yours. The word that carries life is mine. For you to produce, you must take my words and speak them. Your goals must come from Me.

Dave: The Bible is full of your promises; they were spoken to men of old. How do I know which one I can use?

BABA: You have My Spirit; I quicken your heart remember?

Dave: I know, but many times I am confused. Take for instance, we go to church and the pastor pronounces all these wonderful blessings. I claim all of them only to find that only a paltry few come my way. You know this can be frustrating. In fact it made me think that some of the promises are meant for a few.

BABA: Your issue is you do not know how to appropriate My word.

Dave: What do you mean by that?

BABA: Look at it this way: there are lots of goods in the market but it is the one you buy that goes home with you. Look at the word like that. I have so many precious promises for you; I am Almighty, I love you and want you to have everything you need but you must take or receive them before they can be yours.

Dave: I do not understand. If you are Almighty, can't you just give them to me?

BABA: I already did. If you have money in the bank and you are hungry, what should you do?

Dave: Go get money from the bank to buy my food.

BABA: Good! Here, you have all you need but faith is the currency and your faith is expressed in words. Your words will trigger action.

Dave: So how do I make sure I do not short-change myself this year?

BABA: Simple, come to me with my word. Your senior brother Jesus never did anything without consulting me. His words were echoes of mine. He heard me, He saw me act and He did as I desired. You should do the same. Take the word I have quickened to your heart and bring it back to me, that is your weapon of exchange.

Dave: You lost me there.

Baba: I will give you an example. David my servant loved me so much and he thought where I lived was not befitting so he decided to build me a house. I saw his heart and sent him a prophet with my word. He was grateful and he came back to me with the words I had promised him.

When you do that, you seal the deal; you ensure it comes to pass. You prove that you understand the dynamics and you show that you are ready for the life.

(2 Samuel 7:2-29)

Beloved, which word of God, are you anchoring your faith this year? What has God spoken to your heart? , take those words back to God in prayer. Remember, He said we could come and reason with Him. He said we could command Him concerning His work. The word of God that came to you at specific times in your life is not accidental. It came for a purpose; if you missed it before, you ought to make sure you do not miss it this year.

As for me, I read the words aloud when I can; I read the same portion of scriptures from different versions of the Bible. My discovery, the word of God is alive and always has something new to reveal every time I engage therein. Sometimes, I record the scriptures in my voice, and I play it back when it is not convenient to read. I even deployed the ‘Talking Tom’ to help me with some of the words, to add spice to the whole experience. All of this effort is to make sure I do not miss out on God’s plan for me.

I know we are just starting; my strategy is to take it a day at a time. I advise you to pace yourself and let the word of God assume the life it should in your life and situation

One Thing Is Needful: The Power 
Of Focusing On The Major Deal

Ever found yourself swarmed by activities that centre on Jesus but have your inner self feeling disconnected? Have you ever felt the helplessness of knowing something ought to be done, and you do not have a grip on that one thing?

Jesus was the subject of the gathering. He was the major deal; many people were there and that for various reasons. He was visiting his friends, and even they had different ways of making Him feel welcome. Martha thought the thing to do was keep the house and fix the meals. After all, Jesus was a very important personality. To accomplish her goal, she would need a lot of help; even Jesus should appreciate that!

Mary was content to hear his heart; for him to visit, there must be life’s gems to be garnered. She chose to sit with him and just listen. In doing that, she incurred the wrath of her very busy sister. I am sure we can all relate. Why would her choice bother anybody else, did Martha not choose too?

As you prepare to face life’s activities today, what would it be for you? – the Martha ministry or the Mary mission? Remember, Jesus said we only need one thing, and that requires that we make a choice. I know for some of us, it makes us feel useful when everyone needs our help or input, but we must remember that if we keep giving without refuelling, we will run dry. If we let activity define our importance, we are out of order.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

Notice from this account that Martha was upset with Jesus for not instructing Mary to join her in her activity. How many of us are annoyed that some folk are not encumbered like us?

Give the many things a break; focus on the ONE THING.

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. (Psalms 27:4)

Be like David: behold the beauty of God today; enquire in His temple. There are eternal issues to be sought and Kingdom secrets to be discovered. Please do the right thing ... Go for God! Today let your heart be for God, nothing more nothing less!

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

Like Paul, make Christ’s high calling the goal.

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YOU WILL MARRY WELL

GODS LADY IN WAITING

WALK WITH ME IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS

Provoked To Destiny

Our culture only considered you fruitful or worthy of any honour when you have children. I didn't have any, even though I had been married for several years; long enough for my husband’s younger wife to have sons and daughters. I shall not tell you exactly how many years that was, just know they are many.

I am sure you already figured out how many years I must have been barren? In the process, my mate became an adversary. She decided to taunt and provoke me to the point of soreness.

Wait! Let me start right. I was married off to my husband when I barely knew who I was. I had no identity, and I desperately needed one. Check out my husband’s pedigree:

There once was a man who lived in Ramathaim. He was descended from the old Zuph family in the Ephraim hills. His name was Elkanah. (He was connected with the Zuphs from Ephraim through his father Jeroham, his grandfather Elihu, and his great-grandfather Tohu.)

(1 Samuel 1:1, The Message)

It was a joy to be yoked with him; soon, we would have a houseful of babies. My wish! One month became a year; then years and the wait became endless. He was a good man, I was sure he loved me, but he needed more than I had to offer at the time. Remember, culture measured you by sons and daughters.

One day, my darling waltzes in with a belle in hand. “She is here to stay,” I was informed. I could not blame him; I had seen him mope at the ceiling several nights. I knew it would be a matter of time before something gave. I just hoped my babies would show up before then.

Her name: Peninnah, she was beautiful and very saucy. I mean, I knew I was barren, but I was still the first wife, and I had rights. She did not care; after all; she was popping out babies like a chicken was laying eggs. She added arrogance to saucy; I became her object of ridicule. I could not do anything right, I was the old hag, and you guessed right, it is hard to be pretty when you have an ugly situation.

I was losing my charm; I so needed to be validated. Elkanah tried his best to remain fair. But pitched against Peninnah and her children, my case was lost.

Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.

(1 Samuel 1:6)

I was frustrated because every time I went to God, He told me He had me covered; His exact words were "DO NOT FRET." Please tell me how you will not fret when every day someone is there to throw your fruitlessness in your face. Then I came to the point where I realised it was not the devil that was my problem. God was up to something, and He would not let me know what:

Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb... (1 Samuel 1:6a)

Another Shiloh, and for the umpteenth time, I was attending in my barren state. I just knew that that year, I would hold on to the horns of the altar until something gave. Peninnah was still on duty, harassing and taunting me, even on Shiloh grounds! My soul was vexed.

The third day of Shiloh, I decided, there was no way I would go home like I had done several years back. This just had to be the year something would shift. Everyone was partying, but I chose to pray. I went into the temple and just poured out my soul. I cried until there were no more tears. I prayed until there were no more words. I could only groan.

The deep voice of the Man Of God startled me. He wondered why I brought my drunkenness inside the temple. (Can you blame him, every other person was partying and eating and drinking, it’s not out of place for a few folks to be drunk). I let him know I was far from drunk, just sore with sorrow. He pronounced the word, and my heart connected. This was a different Shiloh. I just had to believe it.

(1 Samuel 1:9-17, The Message)

The word became flesh, and I became a mother. Next Shiloh, I could not go, as I needed to wean my son before I took him back to God. The Lord filled my mouth with songs of rejoicing, and during my years of waiting, I learnt a whole lot about God. He could be trusted.