Knights Becoming and a Lady in Waiting | |
Living the LegacyShurleen just left an amazing post about legacies. If you haven't read it, please go here. I will warn you, though. Do not go if you cannot shed a few tears right now. Wait until you have time to be completely blessed by this post.
This has made me think about my own legacy. I can't tell my story in the same way Shurleen has. It's just not that kind of story. But it is what has made me.
My mother comes from a long line of Assembly of God, down-on-my-knees, quiet-but-secure-in-my-faith, believers. Her parents were strong believers. Just before she died, my grandmother mourned that she would no longer be able to pray for each of her grandchildren. She passed that legacy on to those who were at her bedside. I mourn, right now, to realize I haven't been nearly as faithful to that calling as she was, but I am resolved to do better.
My father comes from a hard background. His family of six was torn apart when his mother died following the birth of her youngest daughter. The oldest children were sent to the State Home. The youngest was adopted into a new family. Their father moved away from the state and never returned.
My mother says my father must have come from a long line of praying people, though, because every person in his family turned out pretty good. No, not all are saved. There have been rough years. All but two of the siblings were divorced at least once. But every member of this family keeps in touch with the rest-- even the baby who was adopted out. My father, a strong, tough ex-military man, became a Christian when I was nine.
We girls (I have all sisters) were raised in a strict but loving home. We knew Daddy wasn't saved. We spent a lot of time praying for the man who was either home watching football or out playing golf on Sundays. When he was saved, the transformation was obvious. You would have thought that we would have all learned from this legacy. But legacies go deeper than the mind, don't they?
My first sister married a man who professed to being a Christian, but drank, partied, and couldn't hold down a job. He controlled my sister, even though she did the work to provide for the family. Eventually, through the grace of God and the faithful prayers of my mother, she left him after he was unfaithful. She raised her sons alone for several years and has finally remarried a man who loves her and treats her with respect. But the legacy is now there, and I watch her sons grow up with a sense of sadness, hoping they can overcome their past.
My next sister married a non-practicing Catholic. He is a good man, but their children have been raised in a mix of Catholicism and Christianity that must be confusing for them. Still, I have hope. Although there is yelling in their home, there is also love. I pray for a legacy of my parents to be passed on, as they share a home and have shared lives for a very long time.
My third sister went off to the military and found a husband. Her chosen spouse was a Mormon. His family was strong in the Mormon church. My sister slowly found her way back to God and is, even now, an inspiration to me in her faith. Even more importantly, her husband has found his way to a saving belief in God. Their children have a full home of love and faith to grow from. They are growing a legacy that their children can claim from.
I was the last to get married. You would think I would have learned, especially as my mother used my shoulder to cry on each time my sisters attached themselves to an ungodly man.
I didn't date until I was older (really, not until I was 18). Quite the awkward duckling in high school, I was surprised and overjoyed that boys seemed to realize I existed. I dated a few appropriate (but not God-ordained) choices, then drifted slowly toward those who were not appropriate. I broke up with my husband-to-be twice because he was not a Christian, but each time I came back.
Even today, I know this is the man God intended for me to marry. It was my timing that was at fault, not the person.
My husband is not saved. He is a good man-- a much better person, on his own, than I am without the power of the Holy Spirit to guide me. But he does not know God. I feel a quiet sense of despair when I read the blogs of those whose husbands take an active role in the raising of their children in faith, those husbands who take their God-given role as leader with a sense of responsibility. I don't have that. This is due to my choices, though, and I accept that my choices have consequences.
How this affects my children, though, grieves me deeply. They know their Daddy isn't saved. My oldest son, thank You, God, has come to know his Savior, but I will need much prayer to give a legacy to all my children. I am in the position of spiritual leader in my home, and I want to pass on to my sons that THEY are to be in that role as they grow.
Mothers, you may read this to your daughters. Let them know the effects of marrying someone not of their faith. I will be happy to talk to any of them, to pray with them, to pray FOR them.
Yes, I made choices. Yes, there are consequences. But I am now in a position to bless others who have made the same choices-- or to help lead others, currently walking toward this path, toward a better path, a better choice.
I can still leave a legacy.
PressedI was reading Diana's blog today and completely related to what she posted.
I had one of my depression days, wasting a few hours on being unhappy, because everything just overwhelmed me. Most of it was just me being tired, but it didn't stop me from just shutting down for a while.
Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who picked up the slack for me. He took care of the kids (even the baby, until she got hungry and had to eat). He did the dishes. He made dinner. I, on the other hand, lay on the bed or couch and sulked, napping intermittently.
Now, the truth of it is, I had been keeping late hours and really needed to nap. But I had a wealth of dishes to wash (we'd done a lot of cooking) and the tiredness plus the large volume of housework just overwhelmed me.
Had I been in the Word, I would have managed to get through... or even asked for help. I'm learning to get better about that. But I didn't spend any time in the Word yesterday except for at church. Isn't it odd that I often feel like if I've gone to church, I've had my "God time" for the day? It is NOT the same.
Anyway, I'm going to be on a little less this week as I work on my spring cleaning, work on my home, try to finish up school strong (just six more weeks in this school year!), and try to get my relationship with God once more back on track. The computer is often a time sink for me; I spend HOURS on this thing when I should be spending time with my children.
I love the friends I've made here and I intend to keep blogging-- just a little less for a while. So don't panic; my effusive and wordy posts will return. My quick comments on all the posts for the day (hour) will be back, too. But I can't tell you when. It's not in my time. It's in God's.
No Trumpet SoundsA tiny babe On Christmas morn Unto the world A Savior born.
No trumpet sounds, Just one bright star Will light the way To those afar.
An almost-man, This boy, a Jew, In temple found His teaching true.
No trumpet sounds; He's taken home; But Mary mulls All this alone.
In Jordan's flow, By cousin's hand, Beneath the water Goes this man.
No trumpet sounds, But from above, A Father's voice, "This Son I love."
His teaching wise, His love so true; He heals ten blind; Their eyes made new.
No trumpet sounds; He bids them hush; But one man can't- His thanks too much.
His anguish great; His 'passioned cry, "Lord, if You would, "I would not die."
No trumpet sounds For praying Son; He bows His head, "Thy will be done."
Pilate accused; "Are you a king?" But on this earth No claim He brings.
No trumpet sounds; Judge speaks, not loud, "Take Him," the crowd.
They scourge His back; They pierce His side; Upon a cross My Savior died.
No trumpet sounds; His final words, "It finished is," So few have heard.
The temple rent; Disciples fled; He's laid to rest; The Son is dead.
No trumpet sounds; The earth is stilled For three long days; The tomb is filled.
Then Easter morn An empty grave; A risen Lord Is what remains.
No trumpet sounds; But sorrows flee; Disciples cry, "My Lord I see!"
One day He'll come To claim His own And take us to His risen throne.
Trumpets will sound; The dead will rise; For God's not dead; He is ALIVE.
(c) 2006 Chelo Felice
Have a wonderful, blessed Easter, all.
Chelo
Clinging to GodThere is nothing, absolutely nothing, like the feel of a baby clinging to you. Right now, when it's hot out, I have a mostly-naked baby just wrapping herself right into me with that loose-limbed softness that only babies have. She's not very heavy. She's not too terribly squirmy yet. She doesn't remotely want to be put down.
Then there's my two-year-old. He likes to "wiv you" everywhere (go with you) and even still likes "uppie" on occasion. He's much more solid than his sister, though, and will squirm to get down and "me do" when he tires of being held. Only when he's sick or tired does he go back to clinging to me.
Next is the four-year-old. He likes to hold my hand, but otherwise walk by himeself. Even when he's sick, he prefers to sit on the couch next to me, leaning in, rather than in my lap. He has to be asleep, not just tired, to let me pick him up and hold him. When I do, he's all legs and elbows-- quite an armful.
Finally, there's a six-year-old. No hand-holding for HIM. He doesn't even want to walk next to me. He wants to run ahead, stopping only when I call "too far" (or "red light" if we're doing it that way). When he's sick, he wants to go to bed by himself and sleep. I do still get to pick him up when he falls asleep (which isn't often!), but he is an ungainly bundle and heavy. Why I haven't dropped him yet is a miracle of God.
I treasure the different times I get with my different children, but it is always the baby stage I love the most. Not the newborn helpless stage; although there is some wonder to it, it's when the children are old enough to be aware of exactly who mommy is and still want to cling to me that it is the most remarkable.
My Christian walk is like that, as well, but reversed. I often want to run ahead of God, waiting impatiently for Him to "catch up" when he gently reminds me "too far" or puts up a red light. I would guess that I'm often quite a burden to carry on those occasions when my faith falls asleep and it's only God's arms that keep me moving in the right direction.
Other times, when I'm walking in the Word, independent but still willing to be cuddled, I can feel God holding my hand, guiding me down the correct path and preventing me from crossing streets when danger is coming. Still, I'm a bit of an armful for my loving Father, who gently holds me close when I need comfort.
When I am even closer to God, I want to go "wiv You" everywhere. Where He leads, I want to follow... sometimes I even want to be carried. I don't wait for illness to bring me into God's presence; just a simple desire for "uppie" will bring me spiritually closer to the realms of Heaven.
My favorite way to be, though? I want to be a baby before God. I want to cling to him with everything in my power. I don't want this because I'm afraid of falling, although there are times when I definitely stay closer out of fear than out of love or obedience. I don't do this because I don't have the knowledge or ability to walk on my own. I'm quite an independent soul and was strong-willed even as a child. Religion is not a crutch for me. I do it because this is my Daddy, my protector, my creator, my joyous playmate, and my hero. This is the one who clothes me in righteousness, feeds me the Bread of Life and Living Water, and changes me when I am soiled. He has washed me clean-- and does so every time that I need another bath. He would give His life for me. He already has given His life for me.
Most days, at best, I'm a two-year-old. I want some contact, but I'm exploring my limits and sometimes I just plain want down. On my worst days, I'm my six-year-old, running far ahead and only stopping when I hear a firm voice warning me back from my folly. On rare occasions, though, I am an infant, adoring my Father and holding on to Him out of the pure love of a little child.
Me First!Thanks to PPM at Academy 252, I discovered there's a new Beth Moore online Bible study (or maybe it's not new, but I just discovered it). So I now have a wonderful, busy study schedule. I do the Living Beyond Yourself video in 11-minute chunks, 1 per day, on week one. Then I do the study, days 1-5 PLUS the bonus study, on Monday through Wednesday of the next week. I also have Amy's "Clean Heart, Clean Home" challenge devotional to do each Sunday. This leaves me just one Saturday every two weeks where I'm not automatically accountable. Yay!
So, today, as I got started a bit late, I finished the Beth Moore introduction videos. Wow. Talk about poking me in sensitive spots. Here was the big one (I'll explain why in a moment):
"A powerful masquerading misery-maker is living inside ourselves... Nothing will steal your contentment like self-absorbtion. 'Let me first consider myself.'"
Why does that make me ouch? Well, I got up this morning (groggily) to find that one son and my DH were both sick. I wanted a shower. I wanted help with my day. I wanted to get to go to church and be refilled, not stay home to care for sickies and pour myself out again. And now it was all on me.
Grouchily, I got the other two boys breakfast and something to wear, then clomped about the house until I decided that I could at least finish the introduction to the Beth Moore study. That's when she dealt the ever-so-timely-but-painful blow. "Let me first consider myself."
This one is obviously going to need a lot of prayer and meditation. Princess Moo just woke up, wanting nothing more than to brighten my day with her wide-mouthed, no-teeth smile (and maybe just a touch of rice cereal), and I internally grumbled about having to pause my blogging. I do believe this will be a case of "This kind can come out only by prayer [and fasting]" (Mark 9:29).
We're indoctrinated, you see. Wait. Before I get started, let me hand these out. Here you go. Steel-toed, reinforced boots for all the toes I am about to step oh-so-painfully on. A little flame-proof armor to protect me from anyone who decides to go on the offensive. Let me just drag this heavy-duty soapbox over here. *climbing up* Can you all hear me? Good.
We are indoctrinated. It really needs to be said a third time. We are indoctrinated. I think, in many ways, it's worse in the church than in the world. Christian women have been taught that we need "me time" in order to properly care for our homes, our families, and our ministries. We need to take time-- NOT quiet time, but personal time-- to put ourselves first so that we can fulfill our Christian obligations.
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry for shouting, especially to those of you in the front row, but where in the WORLD did we get this from. Oh. That's right. We got it from the world. It is certainly NOT in the Word.
I could go on, but I'm running out of me time. I am going to take time this next week to pray very hard over this issue. It's so ingrained in my heart. When I want time for quiet devotional with God, that is good and Biblical (Jesus often went alone to pray). When I want time to escape from my family and duties because, well, I'm feeling a bit selfish, it's just not Biblical. There's no refreshment in "me" time. You actually expend energy to do your own thing. But there is perfect refreshment in time spent with God. My challenge this week is to seek Living Water, not caffeinated, sugary substitutions that leave me jittery and tired afterwards.
Dear God, I will have it. I will seek it, chase after it, and even put it in my schedule in permanent ink. I want your rest, not my own. A Hairy SituationAhhh... my latest topic in my quest to become a Biblical Woman of God. (Yes, it truly gets all those capital letters-- this is a title to be earned.)
Hair. Specifically, long hair on women.
It's a huge issue in some Christian circles. Women should have long hair. Flapjacks brought it up when I was having my "women in pants" issue. It seemed like a fitting "next step" on my road to being a BWoG, so I thought I'd take it on. What does the Bible say about hair?
There are a plethora of verses on hair for men. (Brief flashes of an infomercial scene just tried to invade my head.) They should keep it neat if they're a priest. There are different colors of hair if they are unclean (goggle over that one a little later, maybe; stay on track here). There are all sorts of rules for how Nazarites are supposed to deal with their hair. (Looks like all those pictures of Jesus are off on more than just coloring; wasn't He from Nazareth?).
Ah, here we go. A woman. Jezebel paints her eyes, arranges her hair, and looks out the window. Hmm. No, not exactly a Woman of God by any stretch of the imagination. We'll just skip that one.
Gray hair. I haven't reached that point yet, but it's gotta be coming with the three boys running around, climbing trees, etc.
Okay. Note to self: do not color hair (unless coloring it gray). Every mother of princes needs a crown, right? Going on...
Mary, in John 12:3, must have had long hair to wipe Jesus' feet with it. She's spoken of well by our Lord, as she "has chosen what is better" (Luke 10:42). Still, the two are not mutually inclusive. On with the search.
Ah, here we go. The mother lode.
That is it on length of hair on women (at least, in my short search). It does say in both 1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3 that braided hair is not modest, proper, or beautiful (I am guessing this would be the elaborate braided hair that the Roman empire was known for at the time, as both verses also mention jewelry and clothing). But that's it. Fini.
So, really, having long hair is a covering while before God's glory (in prayer). It's not so much the everyday part of our lives that require it, but the time spent prostrate before the Lord. If you have short hair, you should cover your head to pray. (Side note: this would be why men, conversely, uncover their head-- remove hats-- when they pray).
It seems pretty straightforward. Cover your head, either with hair or a head covering, when you pray. *cough cough* As we are to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), however, that means we should be covered up all the time.
I love it when the Bible is black-and-white (in a clear way)... but I do wish there was a way to make my hair grow out faster!
The Feminine MistakeI will hereby trod on some toes. I apologize for the trodding, but not for any of you who it causes to retract your toes and stop and think before crossing this line.
Femininism. Thanks, Di, for making me think about this. I've actually been thinking about it for a while; this just brought it to a head.
We are so indoctrinated by our society (and our PS education) that we believe it is a privilege for women to work outside of the home! Let's see... Ruth had to go work in the fields because she was poor and had no family to support her. As soon as Boaz married her, she no longer worked, nor did Naomi. Fast forward. Laura Ingall's Wilder worked until she married. After that, she depended on her husband to support her.
Fast forward. Women work from the time they turn thirteen or so (babysitting). They get married and continue to work, developing a family dependency on the woman's paycheck. They have children and continue to work, reasoning that they can't possibly get by without their paycheck.
Begging your pardon to all of you women out there who do work outside the home, but WRONG. It is not Biblical; it is not even financially intelligent for a woman to work outside the home, especially after having children.
Let's start with the finances. Read a few of these articles (some are not from a Conservative Christian viewpoint, merely from a financial one): Interesting. That's just the financial side. If you go to the Biblical side, it's pretty clear that a woman's place is in the home (see Titus 2:4).
Now, if you are a single woman or mother and forced to work due to the effects of sin in our society, I do NOT hold it against you. If you are a married woman forced to work due to the same, again, I don't hold it against you. And I can't choose the path for any of you women out there who have chosen to work outside the home. I just have to wonder why you would want to. Are you trying to take the church and extended family's place (to support widows and orphans; I believe this includes single mothers-- see my previous post for verses)? Are you trying to take your husband's place to support your family (see Genesis 3:19)? Or maybe you are trying to take God's place, rather than trusting in him for your future (see Jeremiah 29:11)? Again, I'm not judging you. Your reasons are your reasons. I'm merely encouraging you to look at those reasons in the light of God's Word.
One last note: there is nothing to prevent you from an at home business. Several verses in Scripture, including Titus 2:4 and Proverbs 31, encourage a woman to work from home. But if you're not home, someone else is raising your children, even if it's part of the time.
Just something to think on. May We Control You?Over at Chickadee's blog, she asks why so many people get so very angry about us homeschooling. It's none of their business, right?
Well, it has actually become their business because of our government support system. See, we pay taxes. The taxes get divided up. Some of those divided-up taxes go to unemployment and welfare. Because these functions are basically forced upon us, some people resent every person who gets government support.
When people are not educated, they are more likely to rely on the government for support. (Out of necessity, not because poor people are inherently more likely to freeload!) This makes some of those who are vocal against homeschooling fear that we (homeschoolers) are preparing an entire new generation to need their tax dollars because we're not educating them the way that society says "works."
Why do they need government support, however? Because Christians and churches are not doing their part to care for "the Levites... and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows" (Deuteronomy 14:28-30). The purpose for tithing isn't to build a huge church. It isn't even to do outreach (at least, according to this verse; I need to do more research to find out if there is more elsewhere). It is to support those whose life work is the church (in my case, my pastor), to support aliens (hmm... interesting in light of how angry a lot of people get about illegal aliens in the south-western states), and to support the fatherless and widows.
For more verses on defending and caring for these groups of people, see: This last verse if very specific about which widows to care for. It admonishes families to care for their own, too. But that's a whole 'nother ball o' wax.
It's not the job of the government to care for our needy. It's our job. When we don't do it, the government steps in and gains rights that do not belong to it. People then resent homeschoolers for the possible future burden their children might place on their taxes.
It's a bit messed up, yeah, but that's how it goes. Maybe if we start supporting those who need it first, we'll have less to worry about later.
No, No... Don't Make Me Think!Okay, it's not as bad as it sounds. It was more what I'm thinking about now.
We listened to a great speaking tape from Jonathan Lindvall entitled Dare to Shelter at my last homeschooling meeting. [He blogs here.]So far, no problem. I totally believe in sheltering my little ones. While I'm not sure I completely agree with everything he says (and he does make sure to say that conviction is different for each person and what is right for him may not be right for me and vice-versa), a few things hit home. Here's a big one:
Where does he get this? Let's start with Proverbs 13:20. "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
Okay, that makes sense. So what's so bad about children? Let's go to Proverbs 22:15. "Folly [foolishness in some translations] is bound up in the heart of a child."
Oops. So if my child hangs out with other children-- well, he's going to act in foolishness.
Don't get me wrong; this isn't a surprise, really. It's just the way it was put that surprised me.
We divide children into like groups (age groups) and expect them to improve. How can they? It doesn't take a child psychologist to figure out that children would rather do what their peers say to do than what an authority figure says.
So why do we have Sunday School groups in church? Why do we segregate the children from the adults? For that matter, why do we often separate the young adults from the older adults who can teach them so much?
My church has these divisions and I'm now questioning them. I know why we do it, actually. It's convenient. It's easier on the parents, the teachers, the preacher. No interruptions. No parents having to leave their doodling in the pew (come, now, most of you have done it) to go deal with an unruly child.
Lately, I've even been wondering how much I'm getting out of Sunday School outside of having a core group to socialize with. I go to a huge church (too large?) and the only way to get to know most people is to break into smaller groups. Is this how it should be? Is it effective for reaching others for Christ? Is it even Biblical?
Much to think on and no answers at the moment. I don't know if I'll ever have an answer, but I will at least have something to pray about. I hope I've given you something to think about too. The Creighton FamilyThis both saddens and sickens me. Read what happened to the Creighton family when they stood on their legal rights before social and law enforcement workers. See the video and more here .
Although the family is currently asking for people to NOT take action in calling media or representatives, they would appreciate spreading the word and getting everyone ready in case such action is needed.
So, please, let everyone you know who is at all sympathetic to large families and/ or homeschooling (or just legal rights) know about this and get them ready for action if needed. Also, please pray for the family, for those involved on both sides, and for these poor kids.
I'll be keeping them in my prayers. An Ill Wind Bodes No GoodYou may have heard. It made CNN and major news outlets. My area was hit by not one, but two F2 tornados Sunday night. Between them, the tornados were on the ground a little more than ten minutes and did tens of millions of dollars of damage. They struck just after 8pm on a Sunday night, knocking out power (many areas are still without power), damaging phone lines, and silencing emergency sirens. 911 wasn't working well. Some major roadways were impassable.
Through all this, not one death in our area. Not even any serious injuries. Less than 25 minor injuries were reported.
We were very blessed. We were in the basement. The tornado did not hit us directly and, other than some medium-sized branches making a quick trip to the ground or roof and one shingle parting ways with the roof, we had no damage. Power was out from about 8:30pm to 4:30am. Hubby had to go into work at 10-ish and stay all night. But we are all well, our home is intact, and our possessions are still our possessions.
Some of our neighbors, just a mile away, didn't fare as well. A few homes were totalled. There are areas still without power. Businesses suffered a lot of damage. How can I help them with four little ones in tow? I think I'm slightly in shock, still, at the severity of the storm.
Back on the blessing side, while my children slept peacefully in the basement and my husband was away at work, I had a lot of time in the dark to talk to God. Time to repent of some deep-rooted bitterness and anger that I have hidden deep for a long time. Time to cry without watching eyes or worried little faces. Time to try to get my heart right.
It's an ill wind that bodes no good. This one, while definitely ill, still brought some good. Admittedly, there hasn't been a perfect, overnight change. It's a process. I'll have to keep giving up these things for God to work on. But there is a change in me WANTING to give them up.
Sometimes God speaks a little louder than a quiet breath. Struggling for SubmissionNo, I'm not trying to get a book published (well, not yet
I have been convicted (a lot) lately by the verse from 1 Peter 3:1:
"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives." (KJV)
Or, in the NIV:
"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives."
May I just say... AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHH!!
I'm afraid that anyone who knows me at all well knows that submission is not my strong suit. In fact, it's not even in my deck of cards. I have been blessed with a generally quick intelligence, a competitive spirit, and rather good argumentative skills. (Honest. Those are all gifts in the right context!
Do you know, I do believe that if we were given the option, I would trade all the gifts I have been given just to have a quiet, submissive spirit. I have to tell you, knowing all the answers does not win your husband over to Christ. Arguing doesn't either. Of course, God gave me the set of gifts He did for a reason, but I sure wish he's given me a good dose of humility along with it.
My hardest part is when the issues I'm struggling with submitting over are issues that, by my worldview and based on Scripture, shouldn't be an issue for Christians. My current issue is one that even Christian couples debate over, but it's over the interpretation of the relevant Scripture. In my home, any discussions have to be done without bringing God and the Bible into the mix.
I was going to ask for advice here, but I already know the answer. I should submit. Not in resentment, as I've been doing, or in anger, as I'm doing now, but in peace.
I don't have this in me. I cannot do this myself. But it can be done. I can do all things through Christ... if I can submit to His leadership as well.
I would greatly treasure and appreciate any prayers that are sent up. The friends I have made here have become a lifeline for me. I have found kindred spirits who have made me laugh, helped me cry, and inspired me to pray harder than I have in years. Could you all help me now?
Thank you. Thank you so very much.
- Chelo
Genesis 3:6I am slowly (ever so slowly) going through the Bible studying all the verses pertaining to woman/women, wife, mother, and daughter. Sometimes I learn something new; sometimes I relearn something old.
Today, one of the more familiar verses in Genesis jumped out at me so hard that I only studied this one verse.
Genesis 3:6 "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat."
Oh, the layers!
First, let's ignore who is at fault here (for now). Honestly, that's not the main point of this verse as I see it.
This verse has THREES in it. The tree is: (1) good for food (2) pleasant to the eyes (3) desirable to make one wise
Three in Jewish lexicon is: completeness, as three lines complete a plane figure. Hence, three is significant of Divine perfection and completeness. The third day completes the fundamentals of creation-work. The fourth, fifth, and sixth days are the counterpart and repetition of the first, second, and third, and correspond respectively. (See the structure of Genesis 1) The number, three, includes resurrection also; for on the third day the earth rose up out of the deep, and fruit rose up out of the earth. http://www.biblestudysite.com/10.htm
Does that mean that it was God's will for Eve to sin and take the fruit? No... the opposite, I think. It was God's will for Eve to see the three things the tree could give her and to CHOOSE God over the false idol of the tree. Instead, Eve saw three and saw a way to become complete. Now, Eve was the most perfect woman who has ever lived. She /was/ perfect-- God made her so. But she desired something to make her more than what God made her.
Ouch. That's definitely a personal note there.
The second thing I note is that none of the things that Eve sees the fruit as being good for are bad things. I mean: (1) food (2) visual pleasure (3) wisdom
None of those things, in and of themselves, are bad things. But they can become bad things when they are our idol, or replacement for God.
(1) food = overeating = overweight = bad health = damaging the Holy Spirit's temple (2) visual pleasure = possibly coveting something that doesn't belong to us = sin (3) wisdom = WORLD'S wisdom over God's = thinking we know more than God = pride = sin
[Just as a quick side note, this is the first usage of the word "husband" in the Bible]
The tree was NOT bad. In fact, the word "good" used here is the exact same word, /towb/, that God used when saying His creation was good.
The "food" here is actually used only in this verse, Genesis 2:9, and Genesis 6:21. It signifies edible, food, fruit.
"Pleasant" is a very signifcant word, not used in this way anywhere else in the Bible. It means "a longing; by implication, a delight; exceedingly desirable; inciting of lust."
"Desired" is for "covet, delectable thing, precious, delight, and desire."
"Wise" is "intelligence"... although it is used in Daniel 12:3,10, so it doesn't exclude Biblical/ Godly wisdom.
So, from all that, Eve took every good, complete thing that God had given her and tossed it aside for something that she first justified as satisfying a need (food), then as something fulfilling a lust (pleasant to eyes), and finally as something to make her more like God (wisdom). And this is the same way we do it today when we sin.
We need something. We want something. We want to be more like God. All good.
Stop. Think. All good. But all the best? Always wait on God's best for your life over something good-- merely good can lead to sin as easily as "slightly bad".
One last note... her husband was with her there. Did he say something and she persuade him otherwise? Did he keep silent? Was he equally at fault?
It's odd that the Bible says nothing on this point, but look at the punishments later in the chapter. Woman has to defer to man and her desire (longing, rather than lusting) is for her husband. From that, if I were speculating, I would say that he suggested not eating it and she persuaded him, hence God giving him the upper hand from then on... but that's pure speculation.
And I never knew all that was in there. :) Drinkin' From My Saucerby Jimmy Dean (c)
I've never made a fortune And it's probably too late now; But I don't worry 'bout that much, I'm happy anyhow!
And as I go along life's way Reaper' better than I sowed I'm drinkin' from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed!
Haven't got a lot of riches, And sometimes the going's tough; But I've got loving ones around me And that makes me rich enough!
I thank God for His blessings, And the mercies He's bestowed. I'm drinkin' from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed!
I 'member times when things went went wrong, My faith wore somewhat thin; But all at once the dark clouds broke And light peeped through again.
So, Lord help me not to gripe About tough rows I've hoed. I'm drinkin' from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed!
If God gives me strength and courage When the way grows steep and rough, I'll not ask for other blessings; I'm already blessed enough!
May I never be too busy To help others bear their loads. I'll keep drinkin' from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed!
[A friend gave this to me on a bookmark on Sunday and it perfectly fits my spirit today. :)] A Mother's Trek, Monday, March 13thAmy at Dandelion Seeds has suggested Monday, March 13th as a day to remember Missey Gray and celebrate her "heart" approach to schooling. Join her (and me!) as we take the day off from all those other "things" and spend time loving and appreciating our children.
I won't be online to report that day-- I spend too much time online, I think, and often do it when my 4DD0 is nursing. Just thinking of all the smiles I miss because I'm too busy typing...
Anyway, we're going to dress in messy clothes and forget about all the sticky gum balls cluttering up the yard, forget about the laundry, forget about the upstairs bathroom needing a good cleaning... and we're going to play with playdough, go to the park (whether it's soggy-wet or not!), fingerpaint, build endless castles, cuddle up together on the couch and sip hot chocolate (out of sippy cups-- I'm not entirely nuts *grin*), and all make lunch together. After dinner, we'll take /fun/ baths (get out the tub toys and the bathtub crayons), cuddle up some more for a nice long reading session (yes, THAT book two or ten more times), and have a good long prayer time before bed. And while we pray, we'll remember the Gray family and thank God that we are blessed to be together, even if just for one more day.
Thanks, Amy, for this wonderful idea.
C Information About MisseyIf you read anywhere else, you're probably already aware of this, but just in case my blog is the only one you read at the moment, please lift Missey's family in prayer.
I'm in tears at the moment. I am the mother of three boys and one girl. This could have been me. It could be me in the future. Have I treasured my children enough? Do they know, without a doubt, that I love them? Do I put other things ahead of them?
I need to go get some cuddles and lift some prayers, but if you are interested in helping Missey's family in other ways, there is more information in this section copied from here:
Missey Gray of Heartschooling passed away on March 1st while giving birth to her daughter, Melissa Kate. Missey was the devoted wife of Tom. She was a dedicated mother to Nathaniel, Samantha, Susan, Natalie, and newborn Melissa.. Missey was also the friend to many in Arkansas and online. She began several Yahoo Groups to encourage woman in the Lord and homeschooling. Most notably Basically Beechick. Missy has been a tremendous source of wisdom and encouragement to so many ladies in the homeschool community. If you would like to send a note of encouragement to the family you can send it to:
Solid Rock HAS If you would like to help the family, a Missey Gray Fund has been set up to accept donations.
If you would like to take part in an heirloom quilt project for the family, please email Beth at: shieldsfamily5 [at] yahoo [dot] com. She has further details on her blog.
-C |
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).
) None of those, however, add up to a meek, humble, quiet, gentle, submissive spirit.