Recently and friend and I had a cup of tea, shared what was going on in our lives since our last cup of tea, and talked about our feelings concerning "Annual Christmas Letters". While we enjoy hearing news from family and friends, we did notice that is challenging to tell the whole story of our year on one piece of paper. It is easy to look at the high notes of the days that have passed and think that achievement and the communication of achievement can become to focus of our annual holiday letters. It also can become easy to allow this letter to become a singular statement of, "This is what I've accomplished this year.", without taking into consideration how many other unseen heroes actually were instrumental in making any of these accomplishments possible.
The more we talked about holiday letters, we came to embrace that whatever achievements we like to share - we need to give credit where credit is due.
Meeting a goal or achieving a dream is not reached by sheer determination or effort of one person; but is a collaboration of many people through many networks with shared sources and influences - and some would say; with the help of God in order to come to pass. Today's text is Hannah's prayer - and some might say it is a bold statement, perhaps even a brag letter - on how amazing God is. Even in the midst of struggle, Hannah sees God as her rock, her wisdom and her hope. If Hannah were to write an annual Holiday letter - the star of it would be God.
In the joy of the season, we love to share the happiness and good things of the past year; but it's important to remember how God has blessed us with the helpers and 'the help of God' in every moment.
Prayer:
God thank you for your help, for the helpers and the people, family and friends, that share our days, our joys and our sorrows. Thank you God for being our rock!
1 Samuel 2:1-10 (RSV)
Hannah’s Prayer
2 Hannah also prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,because I rejoice in thy salvation.
2 “There is none holy like the Lord, there is none besides thee;
there is no rock like our God.3 Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
The more we talked about holiday letters, we came to embrace that whatever achievements we like to share - we need to give credit where credit is due.
Meeting a goal or achieving a dream is not reached by sheer determination or effort of one person; but is a collaboration of many people through many networks with shared sources and influences - and some would say; with the help of God in order to come to pass. Today's text is Hannah's prayer - and some might say it is a bold statement, perhaps even a brag letter - on how amazing God is. Even in the midst of struggle, Hannah sees God as her rock, her wisdom and her hope. If Hannah were to write an annual Holiday letter - the star of it would be God.
In the joy of the season, we love to share the happiness and good things of the past year; but it's important to remember how God has blessed us with the helpers and 'the help of God' in every moment.
Prayer:
God thank you for your help, for the helpers and the people, family and friends, that share our days, our joys and our sorrows. Thank you God for being our rock!
1 Samuel 2:1-10 (RSV)
Hannah’s Prayer
2 Hannah also prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,because I rejoice in thy salvation.
2 “There is none holy like the Lord, there is none besides thee;
there is no rock like our God.3 Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
Comments