Emotional eating and all the stories they never told me in Bible class

I am reading through the Bible. For the first time. Ever. Yes, I've read the Bible and, just like most of you, I know all the main stories. I've memorized all the normal verses that we are challenged to memorize as youngsters. I know Noah and the Ark and David and the Giant and Jonah and the Big Fish and Jesus Born in a Manger.

I have meditated on Philippians and the Psalms. I have sought after wisdom in the Proverbs. I have giggled through Song of Solomon.

But, I've never read all the way through the Bible.

I am amazed at all the things I never learned in Sunday School. Rightfully so, mind you. There is some craziness going on all the way back in Genesis! Like, have you read the Naked Noah story? (Genesis 9: 18-29) And, don't even get me started on Judges. Oh. My. Word. I hadn't even heard of Jephthah and what he did to his daughter?!?!?! Wow.

But, one of the verses that I love the most lately is found in 1 Samuel. Hannah is pleading with God to give her a son. Eli, a priest at the temple where she is praying, sees her and thinks she is drunk or crazy because she's crying so much. Most of us probably know the story of how God does eventually give Hannah a son, whom she calls Samuel. But, back before she becomes pregnant, Eli tells Hannah to "Go in peace." He blesses her by saying, "May the God of Israel give you what you have asked him for." (Chap. 1 vs. 17)

Here's the kicker. The part that makes me laugh. The part that makes me feel better. The part that makes me realize how real of a woman Hannah was:

Then she left and had something to eat. Her face wasn't sad anymore. (Chap. 1 vs. 18)

Seriously?!?!? Even way back then women were emotional eating??? Hannah was sad. She ate. And she was happy. I love that. I have so much more in common with Hannah than I thought! (Besides the fact that we both had sons named Samuel.)

Sometimes I am sad. But then I eat. And I am happy.