To every thing there is a season

Happy New Year! 2012 has arrived, and 2011 is gone.

We were blessed last Lord's Day, in our Church, to have our good friend Mr Jeremy Brooks preaching on the first Lord's day of the New Year.  He brought to us, as our motto text...

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 3:1

I really thought that this was an incredibly apt verse for me, at this season of my life.  We have had so much going on in the last few months, and plenty set to happen in the ones to come!

We have just moved house....we are about to start a new school year....we have holiday's coming up....we have a baby due.  Even day to day life throws up many different events and incidents.  It is a wonderfully reassuring thought, that God has ordained these things in our life, and that He is the author of all things.  He has a design for our lives.  A design that is for our good and for His glory.  Does it mean that we "get it" all the time?  No!  But, it is enough for me to know, that His way is perfect.

I think that when we think of the different seasons in nature, it gives us a fair idea of the different "seasons" that we can, too, experience in our lives.

Spring.  It's my favourite season in nature.  It's a season of new beginnings, of everything becoming new and fresh, after the cold, harsh winter months.

I like new beginnings.  I like, as simply as anything, a new day.  As Anne of Green Gables said

"tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it"!!!

I find myself failing....often.  And, to know that we can start again the next day, is like spring happening on a daily basis.  The past is the past, and today has so much potential.  We need to embrace all that a new day offers.

The best part about spring?....spiritually speaking?....is that God is ready and willing to forgive us for past mistakes, and wipes our sin and failures away, so that a new, spring-like day is even possible.  Such an amazing and wonderful thought.

I like the "spring" of starting a new schedule, a new plan, a new curriculum.  The "spring" of having the chance to do a better job of something.  The "spring" of doing something that I have never done before, in order to make life better.

So many "spring-like" opportunities which we can grasp, with two outstretched and welcoming hands - embracing someone with energy, joy and passion.

Summer.  In England, I can find this season a bit too hot! *grins* (spot the Scot!)  If we think of it as a season, though, we think of maturity - of blooming and growing - of warmth, and establishment.

This is when we are able to get our roots down.  Refining and developing skills or abilities that we already have.  Making improvement in areas of our life that already exist.

Getting deeper into God's Word.  Growing closer to the Lord.  Studying Him, learning about Him.

In the home, we can be developing relationships with our spouse, our children or our wider family.  Working on areas that we see need to be strengthened.  These special people that we have known for so long, and may take for granted.  They need to be deepened and nourished.  This doesn't happen without work, for "summer" is a time where we need to work.  A time when the conditions are just right to get things moving along in the right direction.

We need to identify these areas, and make them bloom, like a beautiful rose - opening up, petal by petal - to create beauty in our home and life.

Autumn - or, for you foreigners, Fall!  It's that time where we reap the fruit and bounty, of all those things that we have lovingly, and devotedly, been putting effort into.  For days - for months - maybe, even for years.  Things that finally come to fruition, after patience and hard work.  

Spiritually, these may be areas that we thought that we would never see fruit in.  Maybe, a child finally behaving in a way that we have been training them in, for what seems like forever.  Maybe it's something in our own life, that has been a struggle and a challenge.  Sin that we have been battling with, and that with God's help we have overcome.  Maybe it's a child who has come to faith in Christ, after years of prayer and tears.  Perhaps, it's a practical skill that we have mastered, or improved in.

Whatever it is, it is a time that the Lord blesses us with.  A time to give thanks for the fruit that is produced.  A time to see the blessings that have come to pass after waiting and watching.

Winter.  Cold.  Barren.  Dead.  Depressing.

Maybe these are words that make you think of winter.  Maybe it's a season of your life, where you think there is no growth.  That, in fact, you think that there is complete death of an attribute, skill, relationship, emotion.

But, do you know, winter is not a time of death.  There is an illusion of death.  Everything seems to be ended, and no fruit is obvious.  Winter, however, is a necessary, and God-given, time.

Plants need that time of barrenness - of the dying off of the old. Of the coldness settling into the branches.  It's a time that is needed, in order for new growth to occur in the spring.  In order for damaging disease and problems to be eradicated, in order for things to begin anew.

It;s a hard time in our life.  Spriitually, feeling death and barreness.  But EVERY season is from the Lord.  He may have allowed the "winter" of our life, in order for us to see afresh the new life that we have in Christ.  For us to die to the old self.  To put off old habits and behaviours.  To deaden them with a coldness, in order to awaken with the warmth of a "spring-time" found in a renewed fellowship with the Lord.  A throwing ourselves upon the Giver of life, to rise us, as it were, from the spiritual winter that we have been struggling through.

You see, the thing is about winter, is that the life never goes.  It is still there - hidden under the cold and barren  landscape.  Trees and plants just waiting - waiting for that warmth to return.  For the winter to pass.  For the nourishing rains and sun to bring life back.  For the leaves to bud - slowly, but surely.

We need the "Son" and the "reign".  We need to have Christ taking that centre-place, in order for growth to return.  We need to seek Him first, and "all these things shall be added unto you".

Whatever season you are going through (and you may be in different seasons, in different areas!), the Lord is still there.  The Lord knows your joys and your struggles.  He has a plan, that is perfect.

My prayer for you all, is that you see Christ  in your life.  No matter what "season" you are in, that you remember that God is the author of your "story" - that He is allowing that season for your good and for His glory.

Happy New Year!

Moving....

No, not my blog.

Our family!  From one house, to another house.  I mentioned it in this post.  YES....over 3 months ago.  The joys of selling and buying a home.

We have never been involved in a house sale before, so it was new to me.

I mentioned patience before...yep, that has been well and truly tried! *grins*

I also mentioned about the home we hoped to purchase.  Well, we are nearly there!  We have signed everything, the sellers have signed everything, and we should exchange contracts at the start of next week.  We then hope to move on the 12th of December.  That date has already been changed several times - we started off with the 22nd November, then the 2nd of December and now, hopefully, the 12th of December.  Someone said it's Christmas soon - REALLY?  Because I have virtually NOTHING done for it!

However, it is undeniable that God;s hand has been in it all.  The house we are buying is an amazing provision.

We are going from 3 smallish bedrooms, to FIVE bedrooms!

We are going from a smallish kitchen, to a MUCH bigger one WITH A UTILITY ROOM!  *whoops and jumps up and down*

We will have a bigger lounge.  A study.  A separate dining room.  A double, attached garage.  A bigger garden.   At the end of a quiet cul-de-sac.

TRULY - an amazing provision!

The man we are buying from met one of our former Church members, at their mutual place of work.  Got chatting, over a year ago, about where this man lived.  Our member realised it was the same village as us, and, indeed, that he was movning into a house that we had liked...but as our house was notyet on the market, we couldn't pursue.  Fast forward nearly a year.  The man had put his house on the market, due to personal circumstances, despite not being there for long.  He came and found our friend at work, again - but he had moved to a different department, nowhere near the previous one.  He found him, however, and enquired as to whether we were still interested, as he was selling the house!  He was told "yes" and that now we, too, were selling. However, he had it on for more than our budget was stretching to, and as they were using the same Esatate Agents, we knew what offers they had already refused.  (although they took it back off the market, before he approached us)  So, it was a private sale in the end, with no estate agents fees for them, resulting in them willing to take a lower offer, which we (the Church) could afford!!  The whole time we have been going through the buying process, there have been NO other houses on the market that would be suitable to buy!

The Lord has truly answered our prayers beyond our expectations! We are thrilled, and excited, especially as everything is nearly tied up, and it gets a bit more "real"!

It's been crazy - trying to pack, do school and feel energised, whilst pregnant!  Thankfully, I am well past that grotty, nauseous stage, and feel more able to move house now!  Had it been very quick, I would still have been feeling rough!  Had it been much later, then I would have no energy at the end of the preganancy.  The Lord truly supplies ALL our needs, on so many levels.

Just to add, before I go to bed (it's late!!)....people ask if we are moving far.  I have created a "Google map", to show you how close it is!


View Moving house in a larger map


If you can't see the blue and pink marker, zoom out a bit! If you zoom out even more, you will see where our Church building is.   So, as you can see - not far!  Shorter as the crow flies, but you have to go around the edge of the village as the road does not connect in the middle! If you zoom right in, you can find the street view - our new house has a "for sale" sign outside.  It is from a couple of years ago, as it was before the current occupants bought is.  It now has a green front door (which I am thinking would sport a nice, red berry wreath on it! :-) ).

So, there you have it.  Just over a week until "M" day!  Please pray that it all exchanges, as hoped, and we still move on the 12th.  Pray it all goes smoothly on the day, and I will update with some pictures once we are in!

Chatting with Patrice!

Firstly, sorry for missing some chats!  Life is busy here, but I thought it was good to take a breather from packing and sorting, and chat with you all!

Questions are definitely more "seasonal"!  Is it Christmas soon?!?  Yes?? REALLY??  I had no idea, since I am so busy packing, and virtually NOTHING done for Christmas yet!  Christmas cards delayed, as I am waiting to put our change of address in them. Presents not bought, as I don't want to pack them in a box before moving!  Basically, I move on the 12th of December, and the next 2 weeks afterwards will be NUTS!! lol

1. What's your favorite day of the week? Why?

Sunday - I love Sunday!  For me, it truly is more of a "day of rest", as God intended it to be.  I try and get as much done the day before, and I still have dinner to make.  But, on the whole, I do waaaaaaaay less than the rest of the week.  A rest from house work.  A rest from school work.  A rest from busyness.  It's great to go to Church, ans hear God's Word being preached, and fellow-shipping with fellow Christians.  I really think we NEED that day of rest - physically and spiritually.

2.  What's your favourite Christmas movie?

Hmmmm....struggling to think of any! lol  We don't "do" Santa, but I do kinda like "miracle on 34th Street".  I like the whole happy ending part! I like films with wintry and Christmasy parts - Little Women.  That part, when they are all gathered round singing, and their Daddy comes home from the war!!! It gets my emotions EVERY time I watch it! *gulps down a sob*!

3.  Is there a Christmas Carol that's special to you?

It's not a traditional "carol" - it's in our hymn book section on "the incarnation".  I jsut love the depths of truth in this one!

"our God contracted to a span"...God, the God who made all things, becoming flesh.  Becoming man, to live and die to save sinners.  What an amazing truth! 

Let earth and Heaven combine,
Angels and men agree,
To praise in songs divine
The incarnate Deity,
Our God contracted to a span,
Incomprehensibly made Man.

He laid His glory by,
He wrapped Him in our clay;
Unmarked by human eye,
The latent Godhead lay;
Infant of days He here became,
And bore the mild Immanuel’s Name.

See in that Infant’s face
The depths of deity,
And labor while ye gaze
To sound the mystery
In vain; ye angels gaze no more,
But fall, and silently adore.

Unsearchable the love
That hath the Savior brought;
The grace is far above
Of men or angels’ thought:
Suffice for us that God, we know,
Our God, is manifest below.

He deigns in flesh t’appear,
Widest extremes to join;
To bring our vileness near,
And make us all divine:
And we the life of God shall know,
For God is manifest below.

Made perfect first in love,
And sanctified by grace,
We shall from earth remove,
And see His glorious face:
His love shall then be fully showed,
And man shall all be lost in God.

4.  Is there an art or craft that you'd love to be able to do?

I would like to do more sewing.  When we move to our new house, with more space, I would like my sewing machine to be out more, and learn to do more with it.  

5.  Do you have a live Christmas tree or an artificial one?

Artificial!  Costs too much to buy a real one every year! I do LOVE the smell of a real one, though!  Something very lovely about it.  We will be in the new house this year, so maybe we could have a real one as a change, and replace the old, artificial one, whose limbs are falling being knocked off by children, in the sales for next year?!

Nice to chat!  next week, we will be MUCH nearer moving...hooray!

A godly generation - part 3

I have had a bit of a break since I had my first 2 posts on this subject.  I saw that I had started to jot down some more thoughts, but hadn't got around to finishing it off.  So, here we go on the last points!


7.  GUARD THEM FROM UNGODLY INFLUENCES

I think this is sooooooo important.  And, they don't always come from the places you would expect!

We got rid of our TV license when Joshua was young.  It was as much to do with what I was tempted to watch, as much as anything else.  However, it became increasingly obvious that there were so many issues, even in CHILDREN'S programmes, that I wanted to avoid.  We do still watch DVD's, but even with those, I am getting increasingly fussy, and chucking things away.  We got a recent Disney DVD.  The princess and the Frog.  Don't buy it! A lot of Disney is fairly harmless, but I was seriously unimpressed with this addition.  It has VOODOO in it, and talks of "going over to the dark side".  A lot of Disney has a very clear "good over evil" storyline, and is purely fantasy.  (I will not get into the debate about fairy tales right now....)  But, this was too close to the real dangers of Satanic influence, which is a reality in life.

So, as I say, I am more particular these days!  I prefer factual programmes (it's been a bit "cold turkey" for certain children, who prefer the story type DVD's!), but have story type ones as well.  Stories like "The Railway Children" or "Swallows and Amazons" (very British, I know!) are nice.  I like Little Women.  But, do you know what, I found, even with that, that I have to emphasise to the children what the Bible teaches on certain subjects that are not reinforced in a movie like that! (ie, Jo being very independent, and being unsatisfied with being a girl!....)  I see no harm in them watching them, as they are being taught clearly enough, from God's Word, what the right way is to live.

I am very careful about reading material.  I think carefully about whether something is profitable for them to be reading, and at best it should actually reinforce our Christian beliefs.  A lot of the classics are much better than the modern rubbish that is being published.  There are some lovely Christian books for children.

The "Moody Family" series, by Sarah Maxwell, is a lovely set of books.  Sarah Maxwell is the daughter of Steve and Terri Maxwell who run Titus 2  Ministries.

I love the books by Janette Oke, and she has a series for children as does Beverly Lewis.  Beverly Lewis has some GORGEOUS picture books, that teach character to chidlren.

These make a beautiful gift, or a family treasure!

Elizabeth George also has lovely picture books, teaching Godly character.

Another set of books, which appealed more to my son, is called Building on the Rock.  They are a devotional set of books, which teach Biblical truth based around true stories from history. They are really interesting,  and exciting!

Choose books that will build them up in God's truths, so that the become a natural part of their lives.  You need to reinforce, not tear down, the truths you are trying to instil in the lives our your children.

Now, for a big one. We have to be wise what company they keep.  This is one that divides Christians.  Personally, I do not guard my children from the ungodly influences of school, only to have them go and play with all the neighbourhood children, the moment THEY get out of school!  I will NOT have them go and play alone, in the home of an unbelieving family.  It has been given to ME to raise my children and to protect them from the evils of this world.  How can I protect these precious "saplings", if I leave them with ungodly families??  I can't.  That's the simple answer.  I don't keep them at home all the time (erm, although in the last few weeks, we have hardly been out at all....couldn't face the energy required, and busy packing to move...lol) - they meet all sorts of peole as we are out and about.  Old people, young people, and everything in between.  But, they are under my guidance and protection.  I can tell you, from experience, that I had some very ungodly influences in my younger days, visiting the homes of the unconverted.  But, because I ENJOYED some of the things I was experiencing, I wouldn't have told my parents for fear of not being allowed back!! I distinctly remember the bad influence some children had upon my life.  I am NOT saying that the children of Christian families are perfect.  I have my OWN children to see that quite clearly! However, I at least know that we, as parents, are trying to teach our children in the right ways!

We just have to be so wise, as parents, and seek to do what is right before the Lord, to raise our children as a godly generation.


8.  TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WHY YOU HAVE THE RULES IN YOUR HOME

This is one that was suggested to me by a dear friend.  She told me that they had a lot of "dos and don'ts" growing up, but had NO idea why she was to do or not do those things.  I know that a child learning to obey without question is very important.  They need to be trained to obey without feeling they need a reason to do so.  HOWEVER, if you have ground rules, it is vitally important for your children to understand where those rules come from.

First and foremost, we must first of all make sure that the rules we DO have are based upon God's Word.  We need to have scriptural authority for all that we choose to be the ground rules in out home.  There are numerous places where you can find scriptural references for family rules.

Some of the resources that I have found to be valuable...

I mentioned here about the book by Clay and Sally Clarkson "Our 24 family ways".  This devotional seeks to go through 24 "rules" of their home, explaining from the scriptures why these are good attributes to apply in our lives.  It's the perfect way to have family guidelines and ALSO teach your children WHY you do it!

The Duggar's have a great list of the "Operational definitions of character qualities" - in other words, how do we put into action various attributes, such as being truthful, obedient, honest, etc, etc, as well as what the opposite behaviour would be, along with scripture basis.  It's a GREAT list, and you can find it here.

There is nothing worse that constantly telling a child to do something, simply, "because I say so"! They need to do know WE are guided by God's Word, as we guide and teach them.  Otherwise they will never understand that we are training them to ultimately please GOD, first and foremost, and not us!  If they understand that our authority is GOD, then it puts a whole different perspective upon their instruction.


9.  PRAY, PRAY AND PRAY SOME MORE!

I think, to finish off, that this must be our watchword - "PRAY"!!! We are nothing without the aid and assistance of the Holy spirit.  We need to plead, every day, for His help, strength, wisdom, grace and humility.  raising our children for His glory, is a hard task, and which needs to be watered with prayer.  Ultimately, we cannot save our children.  We cannot do the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.  We are, however, His instruments - His tools - His workers.  We are doing a great work for Him, which will be used to speak to their souls, and for them to see their need of a Saviour.  We cannot be lax or remiss in this huge, but incredibly important, role.

Pray as we start the day - that we would be guided by His Word, in all we say and do in our family.

Pray as we open our mouths to speak to others - that our words would be wise, grounding, encouraging, and gentle.

Pray as we make decisions - that they would be governed by God's Word, and God's wisdom - not our own.

Pray as we train and discipline - that we would not be governed by anger - rather that we would be firm, yet gentle in how we deal with our family.

Pray for forgiveness - we can never be perfect, and we need to have the humility to see that and seek forgiveness firstly from our Heavenly Father, ad from those who we have wronged.  

Pray at the end of the day - that the Lord would use our labours for good - to the saving of their precious souls, and to build up those who already belong to Him.

My prayer is that we all honour the Lord in our dealings with our children, in order to raise a godly generation for Him.


Now, these are just my tuppeny worth on the subject, and  I am sure there will be many other things that I will forget, or don't mention.  PLEASE feel free to chime in, in the comments section, or blog about it yourself, linking in with this post, in order to share your views.

Matriarch's on a Monday - Jochebed

I want you to imagine you are in a time long ago...in a land dusty and hot.  Just think of this story, and imagine what it would have been like.

Your tummy is round, filled with the child that is soon to born.  You feel the baby kicking, and squirming, and wiggling.  The little jiggles when he has the hiccups.  The joy of knowing that you are bringing a child into the world.  Except, your world is not a pleasant one.  Your ruler has made a decree that every boy born is to be killed.  He is fearful of the people who are growing larger in numbers as the days and years go by, and he wants it to stop.

You may almost be praying that your baby will be a girl.

"Please, God, so that this little on is safe."

But, that day of labouring arrives.  The pain, the agony, the joy....as a son is born.  In secret, without any Egyptian guards discovering it, because you are so ably aided by the Hebrew midwives who care FAR more about pleasing the Lord, than following the commands of an evil tyrant.

You hide your child away.  You nurse him, and snuggle him close - meeting his every need, so that his presence remains unknown.  But you know it will not last.  You know that the babe will eventually become giggly, and have more grizzly, dissatisfied moments...that you will be no longer able to keep his presence a secret.

What to do?  How on earth will you keep your precious child safe, from the wicked plans of a cruel Pharaoh?    The child that you love so very dearly.  The child that is a gift from God, whose every moment has been a treasure.

In order to save him, you must give him up.  Give him up into the care of Jehovah, God.  Into the care of the one who first gave him to you.

I am sure there was some careful, and wise planning that came about.  I believe (rightly or wrongly), that Jochebed perhaps researched what she planned to do.

She carefully went out, and cut some reeds from beside the great river Nile.  She wove them, lovingly and carefully, into a basket.  Most likely it had a lid, and a base, like a woven cocoon.  She smeared it with pitch, to make it watertight.  She wrapped up her little boy, placed him tenderly inside, and placed the basket into the river.  She sent her son off.  The anguish she must have felt as she said her goodbyes, not knowing fully what would happen to her precious child.  Kissing him.  Hugging him.  Weeping for him.

That wise Mummy, though, sent off her older daughter to watch over her little boy.  She did everything in her power to make sure of his safety.  I am sure that she prayed that all would be well, fully trusting that God could accomplish her request.

Pharaoh's daughter then, came down to the river to have her morning wash.  What is that there in the reeds?....it doesn't look like something growing...it's something floating.  She sends her maid to get the floating basket, and she opens it up.

He sees the face of this strange looking lady, so very different from his dear mother, and he raises his small, fearful, angry and pitiful cries, from inside his womblike place of safety.  She finds this tiny baby boy...all alone in the river.  Seemingly all alone...and yet...not.  With the prayers of his mother surrounding him...the arms of a Heavenly Father protecting him....and the eyes of his watchful big sister upon him.

Her heart softens with compassion towards this little boy, and she realises that this is a Hebrew child.  How well she knows that her father has commanded that all these little boys should be put to death.  And yet the motherly part of her heart refuses to allow such a thing to happen.  She won't give this child up to be brutally killed, as her father would wish.

Miriam's moment then comes.

"Would you like me to get a Hebrew woman to nurse the child for you?"

How fearful she must have been to approach a lady of such apparent importance and stature.  An Egyptian.  An Egyptian who was about to hold the key to the survival of her brother.

and Pharaoh's daughter replies...

"Go"!

Off runs Miriam, as fast as her two little legs will carry her - back to her mother - back to the mother of the baby left in the watery hiding place. Back, to tell her that the Princess wants HER to nurse HER son until he is old enough to live in the palace!

What a blessing!  What an amazing provision!  That chance to have many extra days and months with the little blessing that God had given her. To snuggle him close to her bosom...to feed him...to love him...to sing to him....to tell him stories of God's leading and guiding of His chosen people...to cherish him as long as possible.  The precious little one who she thought she may never see again - back in her arms!

What an amazing story.  And, to top it off, she had absolutely no idea what lay ahead for her son, Moses.  She didn't even give him his name!

So, what to learn of all this?  The lesson that struck me very clearly, was this...

....we need to give our children over to the Lord...completely, totally and utterly.  We need to have the faith and trust, to know that God knows what is best for them as our children, and us as the parents.  That HE alone knows the end from the beginning.

We are given our children by the Lord.   Given them to us to raise for His glory, for as long as they are given to us.  We don't know what the future holds.  We don't NEED to know what the future holds.  We just need to know that God expects us to do our best to follow His ways, and raise our children for Him.  We need to love them, cherish them, nurture them, train them...until the day that we send them off "into the bulrushes".

They may be taken from us in God's timing...in grief and sorrow, like Jochebed.  They may go off as adults, after their years with us as children are over...to be wed, to a job far away...maybe even in rebellion.  But, we KNOW that God is in it all, because He is the Author of their life.  We, like Jochebed, do not know God's plans for their future.  Look what God had in store for Moses! All she knew was that her child was going off to a palace where idolatrous heathens were to raise him - but God had such a mighty plan for his life.  He was going to honour Jochebed's faithfulness and trust, by raising Moses to be one of the mightiest men in His story.  She had no idea! She simply trusted God to do what was best for her, and her son.

Dear sister, are you struggling with your children.  Do you worry about what the future holds for them?  What God has in store for your future, and theirs?  How you are going to do as a parent? How they are going to turn out as adults?  TRUST GOD!  HAVE FAITH IN GOD!  We know the one who holds the future, and He holds our children, too! Who knows what great and mighty things God has in store for them!

God holds the key of all unknown,
And I am glad;
If other hands should hold the key,
Or if He trusted it to me,
I might be sad, I might be sad.

What if tomorrow’s cares were here
Without its rest!
I’d rather He unlocked the day;
And, as the hours swing open, say,
“My will is best, My will is best.”

The very dimness of my sight
Makes me secure;
For, groping in my misty way,
I feel His hand; I hear Him say,
“My help is sure, My help is sure.”

I cannot read His future plans;
But this I know;
I have the smiling of His face,
And all the refuge of His grace,
While here below, while here below.

Enough! this covers all my wants,
And so I rest!
For what I cannot, He can see,
And in His care I saved shall be,
Forever blest, forever blest.

Joseph Parker

---

Once again - apologies for it being late - we had a tummy bug last week and I was poorly over the weekend into Monday.  I have also had a bit of a pregnancy scare today, but God is gracious, and having had a restful day, I trust all is well. May you have a blessed day.

Matriarchs on a.......Tuesday? Rachel and Leah

Sorry, doesn't have quite the same ring to it, but, following on from my last post....better late than never!

So, I am indeed going to deal with the two ladies at once, because the topic that struck me was jealousy.

For starters, I think this account DEFINITELY highlights that polygamy just ISN'T a good idea! lol  The problems it caused....*rolls eyes*

However, I think that the issue it raised can be looked at in relation to us as womankind in general, and not just within this unique scenario presented in Genesis.

I feel sorry for Leah.  There is nowhere that we find that she was complicit with her father's plan to marry her off to Jacob, instead of Rachel.  In fact, it may well have been against her wishes at all! She started off on a bad footing right away.  Jacob never wanted her.  He wanted her beautiful sister.  From the description we are given, she was not the beauty that Rachel was.

Then, things got worse.  We are told that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah - understandably, in one sense, as Rachel was the one he wanted to marry in the first place.  But, it then carries on to say....


"And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren."

 Genesis 29:31

Jacob, in fact, hated Leah.  How sad!  He didn't say "well, I have been tricked by my father-in-law, but I will make the most of it, and love Leah as well."  Nope.  He HATED her!

But, God is so incredibly gracious.  He saw Leah's sad situation, and He blessed her with a child, and left Rachel with none.  

Over and over, in the naming of her children, we see that they are connected with the Lord hearing her prayers and supplications, in her sadness.  She was having a hard time, but she cast herself upon the Lord, and He blessed her with children!  How good God is.

But, then we look to Rachel.  Rachel, who was the "loved" wife.  Rachel who was the one chosen by Jacob.  the one who....had no children.  For her, though, it wasn't enough to be loved.  She wanted to have his children, too, and all she could see was her sister having one child after another, despite the fact that she was not even loved by her husband.  It filled Rachel with envy. It filled her with bitterness.  

She wanted children so much, that  having a child became like a obsession.  She was so determined, that she thought that having a son by her handmaid was a good substitution! So, she sent off her handmaid who had 2 sons with Jacob. Rachel even named her second son in reflection of the fact that she considered having a child like a competition with her sister!

"And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali."

 Genesis 30:8

  

How envy and jealousy can corrupt our lives, and be the root of bitterness and unhappiness. When we really look at the root of jealousy and envy, it boils down to one thing.  Discontent.  Not discontentment with ourselves - discontentment with God!  When I got to thinking about it, there were three main areas where we may battle with jealousy and discontent.

Discontentment with God's plan for our lives

It's so easy to look at someone else's life and think "I wish that was me"!  

You can look on and "see" how other people don't have the same problems as you have - the trials - the difficulties - the circumstances.   You feel like everyone else's life is hunky-dory!  But, in your dissatisfaction, you are forgetting a couple of things.  

Firstly, whatever is happening your life, is EXACTLY what God wants it to be.  We need to have seek God's grace, in order to see our life through God's eyes and not our own, frail humanity.  To see that the trials are for our good, and HIS glory. Our struggles may not be evidenced as a good thing, until we look back in years to come, and say "ahhhh, NOW I see why God allowed that in my life!"  It should be enough, NOW, for us to know that GOD sees the end from the beginning. 

Secondly, we need to remember that the lives of others, as we see them, are not always as rosy! We see the things that WE think are a "better" way of life, but we don't know what struggles, trials and difficulties THEY may be facing in THEIR circumstances!  Remember the old adage "the grass is always greener on the other side"!!

Discontent with provision in our lives

This is a biggie!  It's sooooooooo easy for us to see what others have, and want it! 

It may be possessions.  There are always going to be people that have something that we would like to have.  There's nothing wrong with OBSERVING that they have it, and thinking that it would be something that we could do with having.  It's when it consumes us to the point of jealousy and "want" that it becomes an issue.  I have had many a great idea by seeing what others have.  And, by prayerfully realising that it is something I could afford and NEED, have gone on to get it.  THAT is not wrong.  But WANTING when we cannot have, is when it is a sin.  It may be property.

It may be comfortable finances.  It' a struggle, especially in today's economic climate, to have financial struggles.  But, once again, God is in control!  So long as we know we are not spending what we haven't got, or spending unwisely, then the Lord will never leave "his children begging bread".  We have been amazed on SO many occasions, at the provision of the Lord at the perfect time, and the perfect amount!  Sometimes we receive a money gift and say "right, what is about to happen that the Lord has given us the funds for?!"  

Discontent with the people in our lives
This may sound a little strange, but think about it.  Do you ever look at other people's "perfect" husbands, or "perfect" children - or even their husbands or children who do things, that we wish our husband or children would do?  THAT is discontent!  The Lord has given us our husbands and children - not someone else husbands or children!  It is, once again, not a bad thing to see a trait in someone else, and think it would be good to encourage our children or husband in that behaviour.  BUT, when we get unhappy and dissatisfied, and continually compare them to others, then that is wrong.  If we see an area where we think some work is needed, pray about it, make sure it a Biblical directive and reasoning that we are using, and THEN seek to change it.  But, don't just think it's necessary because you see it in another person!  We need to look for the good - we need to see the wonderful individualities that our husband and children possess, and not always compare it to others.

I think, by the way, that us homeschooling parents are particularly bad for this!  We see little "Johnny" doing something or another before our little "Mildred" can do it, and start to compare, contrast and try ad mould our little one to be like someone else's little one!  I have come to realise that we should be confident in understanding the abilities of our own child, and get them to learn and develop at their own pace, and not the pace of someone else's completely different child, with their own completely different gifts and abilities!  I think we need a printed sign, up in a frame saying, "I will not compare my child to another child"!!!!!

So, what to learn from Rachel and Leah?   Never let your husband marry a second wife.....no, now seriously!...

Envy can eat you alive.  It goes hand in hand with discontent, which is a sure sign that you are not accepting God's plan for your life.  Don't get eaten alive!

An envious spirit will rob you of your joy.  If the joy of the Lord is our strength, then we will be weak Christians, if we envy what others have got.

Be a joyful Christian, and "be content with such things as ye have".

I've started, so I'll finish....

So, this post is NOT about Mastermind!! LOL

I have several things in life that I battle with....okay, maybe it's more than several, if I am honest with myself!

One of the worst, I think, is starting things, and not finishing them.  Cross-stitch projects, crochet projects, books (although less often with this - not novels! *blush* ), organisation, planning.

I was thinking about it a lot, this evening.  Mainly, because I was thinking about it in the realm of things that are important.  Things that were good for me to start.  Not menial things.  My scripture memorisation of Phillipians.  My Bible study of Ephesians.  My "read through the Bible in a year".

It got me to thinking...."WHY do I not finish some of these things???"  Especially considering that I was benefiting from them greatly, and WANT to finish them.

There may be more than one answer to my question.  I know why I tripped up.  And, I do feel, it is a "good" reason.  I became pregnant!  When I am in the early stages, my life has to get pared down to the basics and essentials.  Mornings become a struggle, and that is often when I get that quiet time to apply myself to profitable activities.  But, then I got to thinking, why do I find it so hard to get going again?  I am feeling better now!  I have no reason not to.

Then it hit me.  With tremendous clarity.  I am my son's mother.  I didn't realise it before. Well, actually, PHYSICALLY speaking, I am WELL aware of it.  Those 24 hours, just over a year ago, will be etched in my mind FOR-EVER....but, character speaking.

I have noticed, since homeschooling, that my oldest son is a bit of a perfectionist.  In some ways.  Not in all ways  (like me!....)  If he can't do a job the way he wants to, or expected to, he gives up, usually with frustration.

"I can't do it, Mum...it's not how I wanted it to be, so why should I finish it?"

Do we call this pride?  Maybe.  I think, with me, it may be that.  I can't do it the way I set out to in my mind, so I can't get up the "mind over matter" to pick up, dust off and keep going.

Maybe it's "non-perseverance"?  I am not keeping my hand on the plough?

Maybe it IS a weird sort of perfectionism - "I'm not doing it the way *I* wanted to, so why finish?"

WHATEVER it is, it's wrong!  I need to change my expectations.  I need to not worry if I don't finish when I said I would, (pride concerning what others will think of me) or thought I would (pride in my own heart).  The best thing to do would have been to finish when I thought I should.  But, things happen,  Things which God has planned for my life.  So, it follows that God didn't expect that I should be able to do what *I* thought was best, but what *HE* thinks is best!  He will be more pleased with me FINISHING, than giving up because I didn't keep "on plan".

It reminds me of the little adage

"good, better best, never let it rest, until your good is better, and your better best"

It was good to start the project at all.

It would have been better to finish it on time.

But, it is best that I pick up where I left off, and finish the job that I started!

The best thing to do, is not always what you THINK it will be.  Take a step back from your "failures" and disappointments, and think "what would be the BEST thing to do, in the circumstances I am in right OW?

God will honour those who honour Him.

So, I will dig out my little book, filled with my printed verses of scripture to memorise, and keep going.

I will keep reading through my Bible reading plan - and take my time, listening for God's "still small voice" , instead of rushing through to "get it done in a year".

I will keep taking notes on Ephesians....I may not be where the others from my Good Morning Girls group are, but it's such a good book  to study, it would be silly to give up, just because I am not "where they are".

Look at your life.  If you feel you are "failing" at a task, it may just be that God has simply altered the time-frame! Don't give up!  Finish, by God's grace, and in GOD'S time, what you started!