SPRING FORTH NOW 2023

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb. . . . And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send. Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.

I Samuel 25:3; 23-28

It is interesting that mothers often become peacemakers for the sake of their children, family, and community. We can see throughout history, within the church and without, how mothers take up the role of bringing people together even if that means making sacrifices and/or demands. Abigail who saw God’s long-term plan intervene to bring David’s experience and the new emerging to its full potential. This attribute found not just in mothers but is often showcased in their overall character is a direct result of the image and Spirit of God. It is God who has Mothered and mothers us by showing up in our spaces, our experiences to bring about peace, harmony with His will for life and life more abundantly for all if we would choose. Know that the Spirit and character of God, though it may be softened by the world as feminine, is a strength that we must celebrate; God chooses to manifest Himself in multifaceted ways, showcasing His image and character in a Most Favored Status.