The Young Family Farm

Happy 10 day anniversary for those of you reading the Word with me this year! Isn’t it AMAZING to have your heart SATURATED with His Word?! I just wrote the LONGEST post…and with one click of the wrong button—it all erased…don’t you hate it when that happens? But I have something to say–and I guess someone doesn’t want me to say it—so here I am…typing it again! Today I am reminded of the POWER OF PRAYER, listening to the Lord and acting on what the Holy Spirit leads and asks you to do. ONLY–the only way to hear from the Lord is to be in PRAYER with Him and to know His voice through the practice of reading His Word. I have a confession to make. For the last 5 years–as long as I’ve been a mommy–my time in the Word has been scattered and some times the only praying I do in a day consists of a “popcorn prayer”. I have justified it as it only “being a season” and by confessing this to other moms in the same place…and hearing them say the same thing has helped me tell myself it’s okay. The more I dive into the Word and get to know His heart (again) I realize HOW MUCH I REALLY NEED HIM. I was watching a video last night posted on my friend Kim’s blog and Colt McCoy, the quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, said it better than I could “Your time is now”. There is NO better time to dive into the Word and know Him…than now. There is no better time to hit your knees for your future, for your children’s behalf…than now.

I do know that some 400 people stop by my blog every day–and I also know that the only thing that I have to say of value is…well, actually I don’t have much to say of value. But if you are here–and you are reading this RIGHT NOW…then maybe it’s not me who is trying to talk to you. Maybe the Lord is calling you deeper into His heart. Maybe He wants you to do some shifting in your schedule…stop reading books on parenting…not worry about measuring up to someone’s craft in a blog or for that matter having a really cool blog at all…maybe He wants you to take some time out and make more room for Him. To invite Him to be a part of your life…right NOW. It is through reading His Word and prayer that we will connect with Him. And these two things I want to be a priority in my life—for my sake and for the sake of my children and generation after generation…if I want to break the chains…I can only do it through His power…through getting to know His heart through prayer and His Word.

I am reminded also as we read His word, we need to pray for Him to open our ears and our hearts…to soften our hearts to the Holy Spirit so we can hear His voice. As you read Genesis 28:6-30:24, ask the Lord to speak to you. I can’t wait to share what He showed me today in His Word. And I can’t wait to hear how He is calling you more to Himself today too.

Some verses that stuck out to me…

Verse 28:15—in the Living and King James version—the Lord says “Behold” and “What’s more” before “I am with you”. He wanted to bless Jacob. Give him land. Bless his children. To bless others through his children…but WHAT’S MORE…BEHOLD…He was going to be with Him. AND THIS IS GREATER than ANYTHING else! Is my being with God and God being with me GREATER than ANYTHING else I could get? Is being with God the most important thing in my life?

Ch. 28 – Isn’t it interested how Jacob is deceived much in the same way he deceived his own father??? He was sleeping in the bed and got fooled in his moment of weakness (it was probably very dark and after the wedding feast/celebration he probably had wine—Isaac was nearly blind and in bed when Jacob deceived him…it makes you wonder if Jacob ever thought about this and regretted his actions)

29:31 – I love the Lord’s compassion on Leah here! He saw her pain…her rejection…and the Lord enabled Leah to bear children while causing Rachel to remain childless. I felt so sad for Leah here, and I was so comforted to see the Lord’s grace upon her life. Yet, I couldn’t help but wish that Leah would have just tried to find her worth in the Lord. I also, though, can’t imagine her pain and desperation to feel loved by her husband. After all, it wasn’t her choice to marry Jacob but her father’s. She wasn’t as pretty Rachel–and I’m sure there was a lifetime of comparison between her and Rachel. And as if that wasn’t enough–she had to marry the SAME man as Rachel and live with rejection. Do I live for the approval of man—or the approval of the Lord? Is He enough for me???

THEN FINALLY in verse 35—Leah finally says what I’ve wanted her to say all along…forget Jacob…”Now I will praise the Lord!”

Chapter 30 – But Leah’s eyes quickly get off her praising and back to her sister and her jeolousy when Rachel get’s ole Sarah’s bright idea to get her servant to sleep with her husband so she can have a child. See some generational repetition here?! HOW WE NEED TO BE TRANSFORMED THROUGH PRAYER! Oh, how I wish that Sarah had the opportunity to sit with Rachel and tell her all about her life—and even her sin. Would she have told her about Hagar and her regret? I think it’s so important for us to use our lives—living testimonies—for the glory of God! As much as I don’t want my children and grandchildren to know everything about my crazy high school days…I know if they are going to be any different, I have to be transparent in my regret and how the Lord changed me.

And are these sister’s SERIOUSLY in a rat-race to see who can birth the most children from Jacob with their concibines? Is this FOR REAL? This reading just BLEW my mind! And boy was Jacob busy wasn’t he?! If anyone ever thought the Bible wasn’t full of things that make your eyes big…they need to read this reading don’t they?!

30:15 – Ouch! (That’s all I can say right now about that!) What pain and hurt is in this verse. For the most part it seems Leah has remained pretty quiet…but here she has just had enough. It makes me so sad to see these sisters torn apart. But because of their parent’s sin—how could they not be? Oh that I would live a life on my knees on my children’s behalf! That I would be changed daily…and that I would do nothing to create bitterness between them.

I have A LOT of thoughts on today’s reading—but I want to hear first how the Lord spoke to you! Love you my friends!!! Press on…and do not give up on the reading of His Word! And speaking of reading…I’ve started a sweet little collection basket of my favorite books that are full of diversity, love through adoption, and Africa for our baby…

If you know of a children’s book that is just too sweet not to share and a must have—please let me know! I’m always looking for books to add to all of my children’s library to remind them HOW much they are loved! I know our baby throughout the years will have many questions, and I want to always have lots of books on hand that makes him feel like he knows his heritage and that it is also a part of him. Having a ministry in Africa, we plan to continue yearly trips to Africa—and it will be so fun to have our little man in tow as he grows so Africa can remain a part of his precious life. And who knows–maybe one or all of our children in the process will develop a heart for Africa in the process and bravely set off to make a difference there in time as well. I am reminded that I need to pray for my children’s future in the mission field. How DIFFERNT I seem to think and REACT when I realize I am raising future missionaries! It is my prayer whether they are in the “work place” or on the field that they would be missionaries for the gospel. Something to reflect and remember throughout the day when I make discipline and my personal reactions to them throughout the day!

XOXO,

Andrea

Reading through in a year…just some thoughts on today’s reading…ok—a lot of thoughts…but today’s reading is REALLY good! Promise to not be so long winded next time;) BUT IT’S GOOD! I want to give my sweet blog friends a BIG HUG and thank them for reading this with me this year. I have to confess…it is such a BIG challenge to read through in a year and an even bigger challenge for me to actually blog about it (I confess I like sharing my pictures, photography tips and “appearing like I have it together”…but I’m really just like any old mom…living one day at a time and doing the best that I can—BUT I felt the Lord asking me to BLOG about His Word…but I have to remember who I am really writing for…to KNOW HIM more)…I want to NOT just whisk through it…but REALLY read it and be CHANGED by it. I am thankful for those who read my blog to be encouraged by our adoption—but nothing will encourage you MORE than GOD’S WORD. This is just a confession that I don’t want my blog to be about me…and I don’t want my life to be about me…I want it to be about Him. I love sharing our lives, photography, my favorite things…but in no way do any of these things touch HIS WORD…so today…be fascinated by HIS WORD…and seek deeply as you read what He is trying to ask YOU to do, change and become through it. In just 9 days I have already felt changed through this commitment in going deeper. Let us not give up our commitments to know Him more! May His Word change your heart today and call you into a deeper more passionate love relationship with Him. HE IS SO GOOD! All the time!

Verse 27-28 We have been prepped from yesterday’s reading when Esau was born first and Jacob followed grasping his heel. Esau with all that hair…I think of him as a rough and tough guy–and that he did turn out to be. He loved hunting and eating wild game…and this is why Isaac loved him. He was more than a man’s man..as tough as they come. But Jacob–he was always a shepard, had a quiet temperament and loved to stay at home…what his daddy probably rolled his eyes at being a momma’s boy. There was definitely contention between Esau and Jacob—and his parent’s favor for different children surely only the matter worse.

This is such a good passage to reflect on and to remind us as parents to never show favor to one child over the other. Most every family will have the child who is more spiritual, a child who quickly obeys (or obeys quicker than the others rather), a child who seeks approval or to please…and then you have the one—who does not or is not those things. I know I need to be very careful not to compare my children—especially outloud to them. How easy some times it would be to say, “Laney–Parker cleaned his room so he’s going to get to have play time and you aren’t going to get to” or vice versa. It can almost become natural to say those things…but then again, our sin nature is also natural so I need to be very careful and only compare Laney to Laney, Parker to Parker and Frank to Frank. What an eye opener to think how we PHRASE things and ultimately without realizing potentially show our favor, we could be building contention between our children. Oh that our children would feel justice in our home and equally loved—and that we would be examples for them to live just lives and love others equally.

Verses 29-34
This story always leaves me scratching my head. Esau comes in the house starving, wants some of Jacob’s stew and then the boys trade a bowl of stew for a birthright? Seems like a good trade right?! Not so much. Esau doesn’t appreciate or see the value in his birthright, but Jacob does. And you can imagine how that frustrated Jacob. Jacob wasn’t wrong in wanting the best gifts…in wanting the birthright and inheritance. But he was wrong how he chose to trick Esau into the trade. It’s almost as if Esau wasn’t taking Jacob seriously–he was more concerned with satisfying his appetite and then carelessly goes away. He gave away his birthright for dish of stew. Oh that I wouldn’t live my life to satisfy my own pleasures! Open our eyes Lord and help us to see…we want our birthright as sons and daughters in Christ…help us to live like we are!

Ch.26:1-11
Shaking. My. Head. Seriously, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree does it?! Can you BELIEVE that Isaac pulled Abraham’s trick on Abimelech? “She’s my sister.” I almost laughed out loud when I read that. And the cycle repeats itself. What do I struggle with that I need the Lord to help me with that I do NOT want my children repeating? Take some time to sit and think about this one…then think about practical things you can do to keep yourself from doing those things—AKA: breaking the cycle with the Lord’s help:).

Verses 12-16: For real? That is like a miracle. Isaac harvested 100 times more grain than he planted “because the Lord blessed him”. Next he becomes rich. The Philistines become jealous and Abimelech kicks him out of the country because of Isaac’s power.

Verses 17-25 So Isaac leaves town–moves and reopens the wells that had been filled with dirt. Then everyone started fighting over the wells. So…he moves on and builds another. Another fight over a worldy thing…so he moves on and builds yet another. Then he moves AGAIN and the Lord appears to him. Can’t you just feel the Lord’s loving, care to him as he says “Don’t be afraid for I’m with you and will bless you”. Do you ever have one of those days or weeks where nothing seems to work? You feel like you are going and doing exactly what the Lord asks you to but roadblock after roadblock…keep your eyes on Jesus and stay close to His heart. Remain faithful in the task He has called you to…to know HIM…and hear His words to you today “Don’t be afraid for I’m with you and will bless you”.

Verses 26-35 – I just want to say I love Isaac’s response to King Abimelech here. Where many would have hated Abimelech for kicking him off his land and making he and his family and people move—when Abimelech came and wanted Isaac to basically promise he would never harm him…a oath that they would be at peace with one another…Isaac not only agreed but put on a FEAST and celebration. They ate and drank together. And there was peace.

Chapter 27 – Jacob steals Esau’s Blessing
And this is the drama I was talking about yesterday! Oh what drama in this chapter. Jacob had alrady stolen Esau’s birthright, and Isaac’s blessing would be all Esau had left. There was brokenness in Rebekah’s heart toward Esau and for her to go behind Isaac’s back and trick him for Jacob’s sake–there was brokenness in their relationship too. This is a BIG thing that probably started as very small in the beginning. A reminder for us to put our marriages BEFORE our relationships with our children. And Rebekah–she thought of everything. She knew how to make the dish, how Jacob should dress…and even thought of how to cover his skin to make Isaac think he was Esau.

After the blessing is given it’s given…and Esau comes in pained that it, too, has been given away. For the first time, I felt sorrow for Esau. And even more frustrated with Jacob…and Rebekah. But they were ALL at fault here. From the very beginning of choosing favorites, building contention between the brothers and then the desperate end.

My munch on thoughts from today’s reading—the power of blessings. Why is it that today we give our children inheritances and not really blessings? I think at carpool drop off instead of saying “Have a great day”, I’m going to start saying “May your day be full of laughter…may you love your friends and be an example of Jesus’s love to others as you share and forgive…” Hmmm…doesn’t that seem so much more powerful;)!?

(No crazy pictures today…the Word is plenty today;)…but we got our new numbers!!!! See last post for the update! Also–I made the most inspirational sweet adoption cd yesterday with the help of iTunes. Adopting or know someone adopting? Check out the playlist under “Adoption” in the menu above. Such sweet songs for someone’s adoption journey. Consider making your own cd with these songs on iTune or making one for someone special that is adopting or has adopted. These songs are sure to inspire and carry you through your journey reminding you of the Lord’s hand along your way.)