“And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: and blessed be thy advice…” ( 1 Samuel 25:32-33a).*
I want to be like Abigail.
No, not living a nomadic lifestyle.
No, not the wife of a fool.
No, not the owner of a large flock of sheep–our dogs, rabbits, chickens and cats are quite enough.
No, not a gal whose larder was filled to the brim with things she could present to an army of men. Who in 2010 needs 100 raisin cakes in their pantry?
I want to live by the words she was wise enough to speak…
“…don’t let this be a blemish on your record” (1 Samuel 25:31 NLT).
I don’t want a bad response of mine to be quoted back to me at a later date.
I don’t want to have my bitter words returned to me.
I don’t want to be embarrassed when the scenes of my life are played back and the words I’d used recorded–every one.
I want every piece of advice to be given because I’ve lived seeing them benefit my own life. I want my every word to be God-ordained, love-filled and encouraging. I want to represent my Savior well in all I do. I want to use the time He’s given me to the best of abilities. I do not want to disrespect Him, embarrass Him or fill His heart with regret for anything I’ve done, or not done.
I may never run for political office and have every word I’ve spoken dissected and aired out of context. I may never gain a position of importance that requires all the skeletons in my closet to be ransacked and cataloged. I may never be more than a blip on the radar screen of life, no attention required, no attention given. But regardless? Regardless, I do not want a blemish on my record when I stand before my Lord.
*Read the rest of 1 Samuel 25 to learn Abigail’s story.
Malinda Edgell
Illinois
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that men in your congregation would take responsibility as the spiritual leaders in their homes. Pray that wives would allow and encourage them to assume this role.
