So somewhere in the last two weeks, in the whirlwind of crazy that it was, it was my turn at Christian Military Wives to write. Y’all. That is where my heart is. Right in the middle of these women on whom an Army rests. So even though technically this was published two weeks ago, may i humbly tell you a little about redemption. Because Hollywood and good-hearted movies and glamour are so much fun but this? This is Kingdom work.
I heard tell of King David’s first wife once: Michal, a woman both unloved and, in the end, unloving. It’s not a pretty story, and the ending leaves something to be desired.
We know she loved David; he may have loved her in the beginning. Somewhere in David’s power struggle with Saul, she- the king’s daughter- became an ugly pawn. Michal stayed when David fled and lied to protect him. David, instead of returning for her, took two other wives and Michal was given by Saul to a man who, by all accounts, truly loved her.
But politics prevailed, and as a condition of further peace with the house of Saul, David demanded his bride back from a man who wept at her departure. Michal had no love left for David and is depicted as scornful of his behavior and subsequently barren for the rest of her days.
And yet–her story is still included in the books of I and II Samuel. In THE Story. That’s the point, isn’t it? Of this season of Lent, of sacrifice, of a good, ugly, dark Friday. Sometimes redemption tells ugly stories. We have to weep at the foot of a splintered cross to rejoice in a barren tomb … to read more, please join me at Christian Military WIves.
And friends? Thank you so much for all your kind words of encouragement and celebration over the last few weeks. I am loved so well.
~M.