In our last reading, we met Shulamith in her despair having turned away her husband. Her indifference to him then shifted, but Solomon had already left her. What we see in today’s passage are several stanzas of the poem that will help start the reconciliation process between the two lovers.
We can imagine the scene leading up to this moment. Solomon had been working late doing his kingly duties. Shulamith had spent the evening alone, missing her man. I can identify a bit with her here having been a pastor’s wife. There were many nights, particularly Saturday nights when David was finishing up his sermon, that I would be alone. It didn’t happen often, but there were times I resented his work and wished he could spend time with me like “normal” husbands did with their wives.
For Shulamith, she wasn’t feeling the connection. Her indifference was perhaps even fueled by her ingratitude. I read that at the root of indifference is ingratitude. Would you agree with that? Perhaps if she had been truly grateful for her husband and his position, focusing on the positive rather than having a pity party of negativity, she would have thrown open the door that night and let him in, dirty feet and all.
Next, we see a question being asked of her. “Why is your lover better than all others, O woman of rare beauty?” Snap! This mindset shift was all Shulamith needed to focus on the positive. What did she love about her husband? She responds by gushing about all of Solomon’s attributes, those reasons she fell in love with him, those traits that set him apart from all other men. She concludes her praises with these words. “Such, O women of Jerusalem, is my lover, my friend.” Beautiful! Do you see what happened? She has replaced her feelings of indifference with those of gratefulness. She isn’t focusing on the negative anymore but on the positive. You can just feel the joy and peace overtaking her.
Our reading ends today on a higher note. Shulamith knows exactly where to find her true love. He is doing what he has been appointed to do. Shepherd his people. He is also preparing himself for the next encounter he will have with his bride. Shulamith doesn’t need to fear. She says, “I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine.” The feeling of belonging is like cuddling up in a warm blanket.
We can probably see ourselves in this story. Don’t we tend to do the same thing? It could be in our relationships or in our attitudes toward life. Don’t we sometimes get stuck in a negative spiral of thoughts and emotions? I think of what’s happening in the world right now with this pandemic. It’s easy to get caught up in the worry and miss seeing the beauty all around us. It’s not healthy for us to fixate on negative thoughts that are not serving us.
I have been working very hard to stay positive through this time. Having a heart full of gratefulness is so key to staying upbeat and positive. Are you surrounding yourself with positive friends and media? What is it for you that really lights you up and makes you smile from the inside out? Take some time today to make sure you are adding those kinds of activities to your day.
Let’s pray … Lord, help me focus on all those things I am grateful for. I love waking up each morning and before I rise up out of bed, I am thanking you for at least 3 things. It is such a beautiful way to start the day and connect with you first thing. When I start to spiral into negativity, please help me stay strong. Help me to appreciate my husband at all times. I give you thanks for him. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
