Is It All Really Well? ♡♡♡

 

"Run at once to meet her and say to her "Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?" And she answered, "All is well". And when she  came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said "Leave her lone, for she is in bitter distress,  and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me." Then she said, "Did I ask my lord a son? Did I not say, 'Do not decieve me?" - 2 Kings 4:8-37

Have you ever been played? So couple of years ago, I had been hand picked by a publishing company to help market my newly published book. They had asked me to pay some fees and all. I was invited to the Frankfurt book fair and told that my book would be on display alongside many other publishing authors. I was super excited. Shared the news with anyone who cared to listen. I packed my little bag, flew to Frankfurt. Only to walk round the many aisles in the large auditorium, and to my utter disbelief, I had been played. I was so embarrassed. I could only tell one of my really close friends at the time. Thankfully I had planned to attend the "one day" event and Frankfurt was only about a few hours away from where I lived. I turned the visit into a holiday [well bought some souvenirs], but Lord knows I was devastated on my flight back home. Needless to say, any other weird "marketing" email after that, went right into my e-bin. When we've been played, let down, dissapointed in life, it is easy to become jaded, cynical or desensitized. Our horrible experiences in life can shape the way we see our world and even the way we think. The Shunamite woman was no exception.

The Shunamite woman was "minding her life" like anyone of us would in her situation. She tried to make the most of what was "before her" regardless of whatever cards life dealt her. Scripture says she was a prominent woman. I imagine, she thought it a grand idea one day suddenly to channel her energy towards noble things. You know, bless the world around her, as she seeks to press on. She was outward focused. Scripture never lists out, the many things she had done up until this point [although I think she might have been a very generous woman]. This one time, with the permission of her husband, they make room for a man of God in thier home. The man of God is touched by her kindness, and so one day as he lays in the chamber to rest, he seeks to bless this woman, who has gone all the trouble. He investigates her needs. She first plays out that she is secure where she is, until the servant to the man of God let's him know she had no son and her husband was old - 2 Kings 4: 14

"And he said, "At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son. "And she said, "No my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant. But the woman concieved, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her" - 2 Kings 4: 16-17

Fast forward many years later, when the child had grown. Scripture says that he was sick and died [2 Kings 4:18- 20]. It's fascinating to read all that transpired right after the child fell ill, at the field where he is helping dad. The woman's husband, sends the child back to his mother "carry him to his mother" v19. But the woman lays the dead child on the bed of the man of God and requests for a donkey to go find him. And although her husband tried to talk her out of it, because he figured it was "not a special occasion", she was relentless - it is neither the new moon or the sabbath.-------> But " All is well" she said - the Shunamite woman knew exactly where to take all of her hurts. She knew where to take all of her disappointments. She also knew who to say what to... "Is all well with you? "Is all well with your husband?" Is all well with the child?" "All is well". V26. 

I love how vulnerable and honest she is when she gets to Elisha in Mount Carmel, on the mountain. She is not out there hiding her feelings. She is brutally honest with all of her hurts and disappointments - "you should have left me where I was, why take me through all this trouble only to have my hopes dashed?" And life can feel like that sometimes, but God wants us to bring them all at his feet. Even when the Shunamite's woman's faith failed, God stayed faithful. I believe God wanted to gift her so much more. Although she had stepped over a hurdle of impossibility, there were several more huddles of "unbelief" still lurking around her heart. God wanted her to see him beyond being Jehovah Jireh. He wanted her to see him beyond being Jehovah Rapha. God wanted her to see him as the resurrection and the life.  Scripture says 'The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes" - V36  - "Then she came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground"-V37. What a roller coater, but one that is so worth it.  Scripture says, she picked up her son and left. I believe she was left speechless.

       What is your hurt? what is your disappointment? Take it to the Lord, he can take all of it"

"Jesus answered her "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water" - John 4:10

'...Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord - Jeremiah 17:5

"Whosoever believeth in him, shall never be ashamed" - Romans 10:11

Love,

SR