Oh Lord, I do not know what Your mighty hand has in store for us. Every night I pray for peace in our land, enough food to be on the table, and for Mordecai and Hannah to be blessed and happy in their hearts. But what was that look of fear in his eyes? I have never seen my dear cousin appear so threatened by trouble, and so vulnerable to pain. Have mercy on us dear God. fo
But as Hadassah grew older, Mordecai realized that he could not provide her with the proper education, and asked Widow Hannah to come live with them. Twelve years had past now, and Hadassah would soon be approaching her sixteenth birthday. Together, the three had forged a strong bond, a three-stranded cord which was not easily broken. But now, something was attempting to rip this little family apart. Mordecai had just learned of the new law, which was posted on nearly every building in town. Still drifting away to sea in the blow of this tsunami tidal wave of news, a strange look of grief cast upon Mordecai’s face, and Hadassah immediately knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
“Mordecai, what is troubling you?”
The man tried to wipe the look of fear and distress off his face, and attempted a shaky smile. “Nothing my child. Other than the fact that I have built up quite the appetite.” He ducked into the other room where a wash bin was awaiting his hands.
Hadassah quickly buzzed over to the hearth where she scooped a generous helping into each bowl. She could hear Mordecai reciting the familiar Hebrew blessing:
“Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe...”
Hadassah felt a troubling stir deep in her heart. The look on Mordecai’s face caused a terribly uneasy feeling to arise. She bit her lip, worry engulfing her mind. Lord, she prayed silently, Please help Mordecai.
After Mordecai returned, the three were seated. Each grabbed hands, closed their eyes, and offered this simple prayer up to heaven “Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”
~*~
She could hear the subtle hush of whispers coming from the other room. Hadassah’s head lay on the hard cool ground, enveloped by darkness, in the security of her small bedroom. Hannah and Mordecai were still awake, kindling the fire, and speaking about the events of the day. Hadassah rolled over, unable to allow her body to be still. Her mind raced with worry. What was it that Mordecai was so worried about? Why did he look at me like that?
Hadassah felt a shiver of fear tremble down her spine, as she began to entertain all the possibilities. Had he lost his job? Had the crop failed? Was a famine approaching, desiring to strip the land of all their food? Were there rumors of a stirring war with the Persian Empire? Hadassah had always preferred prayer over worry, so she lifted each concern up to the One who made her.
The man tried to wipe the look of fear and distress off his face, and attempted a shaky smile. “Nothing my child. Other than the fact that I have built up quite the appetite.” He ducked into the other room where a wash bin was awaiting his hands.
Hadassah quickly buzzed over to the hearth where she scooped a generous helping into each bowl. She could hear Mordecai reciting the familiar Hebrew blessing;
“Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe...”
Hadassah felt a troubling stir deep in her heart. The look on Mordecai’s face caused a terribly uneasy feeling to arise. She bit her lip, worry engulfing her mind. Lord she prayed silently, please help Mordecai.
After Mordecai returned the three were seated, each grabbed hands, closed their eyes, and offered this simple prayer up to heaven, “Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe,
who brings forth bread from the earth.”
“Yes Mam” Hadassah swiftly swept up a pile of cinders which had clung to the foot of the fireplace, scooped them into a bowl, and made her way to the back door. Stepping outside, humming a soft tune, Hadassah took a deep breath, relishing in the fresh air. An array of colors meshed across the eastern sky: a glorious mix of pink, orange, and purple, as the sun held his breath and prepared to dunk under the horizon. As soon as Hadassah completed her chore, she returned indoors to set their small table with humble set of cracked clay bowls and utensils. The old pottery was worn and chipped, but it was more than many others had, and for that they were grateful.
“Hadassah” the old widow clicked her tongue, “You mustn’t let our food stick to the bottom of the pot like this! I fear you’ll never find a husband if your cooking is not more than satisfactory.” Hannah added extra water to the sticky pot, vigorously stirring it with her strong right arm.
Hadassah sighed as she placed a third bowl on the table, “Forgive me Hannah. My mind was elsewhere.”
“As it usually is my child” Hannah chuckled, adding her own secret remedy to Hadassah’s failed meal. She taste tested the ingredients a second time. Her furrowed brow relaxed, and she nodded confidently to herself. The meal finally reached her approval.
“Just like your Mother” Hannah spoke gently as she whisked a black strand of hair from Hadassah’s face, “Always a day dreamer.”
Hadassah squeezed the old woman’s hand and spoke softly, “I wish I remembered her better. Sometimes I think I can still hear the old lullaby she used to sing to me, but other times I think I must be making it up. ”
Hannah’s dark eyes grew moist as these old memories were re-lived, “She would be so very proud of you Hadassah. You have grown up to be a beautiful young woman, who one day will make a lucky young man a very proud husband. Your Father would be proud too, just as Mordecai is.”
Just then, the sound of an opening door was heard.
“Cousin Mordecai!” Hadassah greeted, “You’re just in time for supper. Come sit, may I take your shoes, wash your feet?”
Mordecai’s weary eyes from a long day’s work stared gently at his cousin. Hadassah had been orphaned as a young girl, both parents killed in a tragic accident, leaving the sweet little child fatherless. Mordecai immediately brought the frightened child into his home, providing for her a place to eat, sleep, and feel protected. But as Hadassah grew older, Mordecai realized that he could not provide her with the proper education, and asked Widow Hannah to come live with them. Twelve years had past now, and Hadassah would soon be approaching her sixteenth birthday. Together, the three had forged a strong bond, a three stranded cord which was not easily broken. But now, something was attempting to rip this little family apart. Mordecai had just learned of the new law, which was posted on nearly every building in town. Still drifting away to sea in the blow of this tsunami tidal wave of news, a strange look of grief cast upon Mordecai’s face, and Hadassah immediately knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
“Mordecai, what is troubling you?”
The man tried to wipe the look of fear and distress off his face, and attempted a shaky smile. “Nothing my child. Other than the fact that I have built up quite the appetite.” He ducked into the other room where a wash bin was awaiting his hands.
Hadassah quickly buzzed over to the hearth where she scooped a generous helping into each bowl. She could hear Mordecai reciting the familiar Hebrew blessing;
“Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe...”
Hadassah felt a troubling stir deep in her heart. The look on Mordecai’s face caused a terribly uneasy feeling to arise. She bit her lip, worry engulfing her mind. Lord she prayed silently, please help Mordecai.
After Mordecai returned the three were seated, each grabbed hands, closed their eyes, and offered this simple prayer up to heaven, “Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe,
who brings forth bread from the earth.”
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