URC Daily Devotion for Friday, 15 May 2026 Scripture and Faith, 5

Reflection

Amy Lyon was often controlled and abused by powerful men. A housemaid at 12, Amy became an actor, model and dancer in London. Sir Harry Fetherstonhaugh, followed by the Honourable Charles Francis Greville, took Amy as a mistress, the latter getting her to change her name to “Mrs Emma Hart.” Greville was everything but honourable. Moving on to marry an 18-year-old heiress, he tricked Emma into going to Naples to become mistress to his uncle, Sir William Hamilton, the British Envoy. They fell in love and this sketch dates to the year they married and she became Lady Hamilton. Emma described him as “the best husband and friend.” They would welcome Horatio Nelson to their Naples home; Lady Hamilton and Nelson beginning an affair seven years after this sketch.

Her beauty, not to mention all the gossip, ensured many portraits of Lady Hamilton. Kauffmann, one of only two women founding members of the Royal Academy of Art, turned this drawing into one of the full-length oil paintings for which she was famous.

What do we see in a face?

A young woman, head slightly turned, watches us from the corner of her eyes. There is simplicity here; no jewellery and only a vague hint of a neckline. We are staring intently at one who stares intently back. If we didn’t know anything of her story, what would we see? How does knowing a little of her story change what we see as we gaze upon Lady Hamilton?

Scripture speaks to us of the God who sees us completely, knows us fully, and treasures us utterly: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139: 1-5).

Prayer

God, the psalmist says there is nowhere we can ever go where you cannot find us.
Nothing within us is hidden from you.
Fame is a feature of our culture;
some try hard to achieve it,
some have it forced upon them,
some find it destroying their lives.
We thank you that our fame is real for you;
each and every one of us,
unique,
beautiful,
dignified,
honoured,
blessed.
Amen.