HANNAH'S PRAISE

---

​As the 2nd candle of Chanukah was kindled, a 2nd flame burst forth from my heart in the form of a song and out of the words of Hannah found in 1 Samuel 2!  I could hear a melody beginning to play as I began to sing the words He gave to me … a dance and a twirl beginning in the depths of my soul as the song suddenly turned from 1 Samuel 2 to Zechariah 4:6 and then to Psalm 121 … finally finishing with the words that were at the beginning … the words that are still ringing through my heart … “There is no holy one like the L-RD., Truly, there is none beside You; there is no rock like our G-D … there is no holy one, no holy one like the L-RD!”

And then thoughts of Chanukah once again came bursting forth … and I pondered until I suddenly saw the gifts that are often given over this time of celebration as we remember all that HaShem has done for us as His people … the way He has kept us and continues to keep us … we remain resilient in spite of the darkest trials.

Four weeks ago I had surgery on my right ankle … thankful for those who prayed! Just before surgery, a friend said to me something about letting this “op” become an “Opportunity.” I was not relishing the thought of not being able to drive for 8 weeks, BUT … on receiving those words, I prayed that HaShem would engrave that word on my heart during this time. AND HE HAS!!! I gently asked HaShem at one point “Abba, show me … opportunity for what exactly?”  And as I began to adjust to moving around with my cast those first 2 weeks, I suddenly kept  hearing these words blow softly through my spirit … “opportunity for PRAISE!” And praise has indeed been rising in my heart as I am able to look back at all the L-RD has done in me and for me, but I am also giving Him Praise in advance for what He will do in my life and through my life for the days to come … my heart’s desire is to make a difference for His Kingdom … to see each and every one of us who belong to Him not merely survive, but to joyfully thrive with the abundant life of which Yeshua speaks! And I stand in prayer with you as we stand together in the greater body of Mashiach … that together, as He takes us - working in us, teaching us, building us, growing us and establishing us … “step by step” and “stone by stone” - we will become like that city upon a hill. It has been just over 2 years ago now that I cried out to Him from the depths of my heart … from a very dry and barren place just like Hannah … and today I stand and I am able to give Him thanks, with all the glory, all the praise and all the honour that is due His name and Him alone! Just like Hannah, my heart proclaims the words … 

“MY HEART EXULTS IN THE L-RD; I have triumphed through the L-RD. I gloat over my enemies; I rejoice in Your deliverance.”

So … what about the gifts?

All my things are gathered up and I am ready to move in a few days time. This is the first Chanukah that I have been physically alone, and yet never have I ever experienced more deeply on the inside and spiritually just how UNalone I am! I was asking the L-RD about the gifts that I would normally be giving to others and His reply to me was … “give what you have in your hand to give.” I was a little unsure at first, because at first glance in the natural, there appeared to be nothing in my hand … but as I heard the whisper of “look again, Rose, what do you see?” I could suddenly see the songs that He was giving to me to sing … the words that He is giving me to write; and like gifts being exchanged, I am giving them straight back to Him as I share them with you this Chanukah! I pray that they will be an encouragement to you no matter where you might be in your journey …

And I just feel to finish with this one final thought as He is putting it on my heart once more. It is from someone I know who frequently walks, often on his own, but also with another and sometimes among larger groups. The guide that was leading his group one day turned around to remind them:

“We are only as quick as our slowest member.”

​So as we gather around and kindle our lights, may we remember that the greatest gift we can give to one another is Love as we make time and space in our hearts while also seeking to Love the L-RD our G-D with all our heart …  upon these two things hangs all of the Torah..

​“Love is the Greatest … “

​Chanukah Blessings to you all as we each seek to be the salt and light to the world around us.