Today I was reading the Bible during my quiet time in the book of Genesis. I was in Ch. 4 and was reading about the decendants of Cain. I came across a couple of interesting verses in versus. 20-22. They say, "And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute. And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron."
In reading these verses I was struck that in mentioning Jabal's family, it specifies that Jabal was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock, and that Jubal was the fater of all those who play the harp and flute. Reading this reminded me of times that I've heard about certain homeschool families and the things they've done as a family and thought, "I should be doing those things." I remember hearing about a family who started all their kids playing the violiin at a very young age. They all grew up to play and played well together (was this the Duggars maybe?). I started wondering if I should be starting all the kids in an instrument. Especially with the internet, it's easy to hear about all the wonderful things other families are doing and feel inadequate like we aren't doing enough.
Reading these verses were encouraging to me to think that certain families are called to do things different ways. Jabal's family lived in tents and had livestock. Jubal's family played the harp and flute. Did they bicker about whose way was best? Did they wish they were like the other? I pray that instead of thinking my ways is best, or wishing I was like another family, I would pray with humility regularly about the path my family is taking. Through praying, the Lord can guide my family down the path he has for us. We can reach those he calls us to reach and have peace in what we do instead of striving to do things like some other family. May God bless our families as we seek him.
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• Thu 19 Jul 2007 - Untitled Comment