Friday, April 08, 2011

Men's Sensitivity to Women's Heart

[S] 1 Samuel 1:8 --
8  Then Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"

[O] Not sure if Elkanah knew the reason and asked this question more out of comfort but based on verses 6-7, Hannah was weeping because of her rivals provocation for not being able to conceive.  I saw here how one person's comfort or trying to comfort is so limited.  Elkanah's comparison of himself to ten sons, although it was a great effort, did not help much because in verse 10 we can see that Hannah's level distress sustained and she reached out to God weeping bitterly.  As I reflect on my own efforts to understand my wife, I know I was like Elkanah in many instances where I do not fully understand the true feelings of her and said some things to comfort her but came very short of doing that.

[A] Coming up on 19th anniversary of our marriage, I continuously need to strive for more sensitive heart towards my wife's thoughts and be a better comforter and companion through ups and downs of our lives.  In the end, it is God who will comfort her, but I should also do a better job of reaching out to her in all circumstances.

[P] Dear God, thank You for guiding our marriage and continuing to lead us as a team.  May I be a more sensitive companion who she can lean on as we go through this journey together.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

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