written by Jennifer Blatto-Vallee

Many years ago a friend invited me to dinner. I was somewhat surprised to learn that she wanted to talk with me about some things she had observed in my attitude toward my then boyfriend, Gary. That conversation was somewhat of a life changer for me. I was touched by her courage in confronting me and the gentle manner in which she spoke hard truths. I am still moved by the long term, positive effects of her advice. God clearly used that interchange to offer me hope that things can be different. Did my friend know I would eventually marry Gary? Probably not. She did, however, know how to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Speaking courageously, in love, is truly a gift from the Spirit of God.

As I read 2 Samuel 20:14-26, I imagine that the wise woman must have felt very Spirit led in her advice to Joab. He and his troops marched to the area of Abel Beth Maacah in search of Sheba. They were set to tear down the wall of the city and virtually destroy it in order to capture Sheba for betraying King David. The wise woman asked Joab why he wanted to ruin their peaceful land, which was full of faithful people. Joab only wanted Sheba, and she promised Joab Sheba’s head in return for his withdrawal from the city. She then told the people, and they killed Sheba while simultaneously preventing the destruction of an entire city. It must have taken such courage for her to speak out to the leader of David’s army in a time when women were not held in any esteem not to mention silent in public. It isn’t something we can truly grasp in the time and space we occupy in America. Yet, I can’t help but wonder how many times I have been silent for fear of disapproval or rejection. One conversation spoken in truth and love like my dear friend 11 years ago with me and the sage advice given by the woman in 2 Samuel changed the course of many lives. I want this kind of courage in not only confronting wrongdoing but in my daily interactions. Clearly, the results are worth the potential discomfort when the Holy Spirit leads the words and actions. Even though I know this, I often ignore it with the excuse that I am just not hearing the Spirit correctly. Today, I will pray for opportunities to speak boldly, in love, creating long-term effects for the kingdom of God. I will pray the same for you, too.

A fellow traveler,
Jennifer