Like Father, Like Son

Today in Genesis, Isaac and Rebekah were living in the land of the Philistines and told the men of the land that Rebekah was his sister. I immediately recalled earlier in Genesis when Abraham did this not once, but twice (and yes, technically Sarah was his half-sister, but still). Did Isaac know that his father had done this when he was afraid, or was it some sort of genetic trait to not trust God to protect husband and wife in foreign land? Kind of funny and yet it sort of hits home a little.

No, I have never told someone that Adam is my brother. What I am talking about is having all of these personal experiences of God's provision throughout one's life and yet having one small area where you just can't seem to believe that God will also take care of you there. There always seems to come a time when you think you had better take care of a situation on your own because God wouldn't want to intervene. Are we afraid that it is something too small and unimportant for God to be involved? Or are we holding on to it too tightly because we think we know best? Either way, if we say that Jesus is Lord, we have to allow him to be Lord in EVERY area, not just the "big" ones.

Abraham's dilemma or Isaac's childhood trauma?

I'm still reading in Genesis. The other day I read about Abraham and Isaac going up to make a sacrifice. What I wonder about is what Isaac thought about his dad planning to kill him. I'm sure he knew that God saved him with the ram in the bushes, but did he also believe that God had told Abraham to sacrifice his son? Abraham didn't tell Isaac that God told him to do what he was prepared to do. I think I would have been quite wary of my father after he almost killed me. Did Isaac tell his mother and relatives when he got home? Did he resent or hate his father? I'm quite curious about the conversation between father and son, if there was one. The only thing we do know is that Isaac believed in and trusted God throughout his life. Did the event cause him to believe and trust that God would protect him and provide for him?

Whenever I read this story or have heard it preached, the focus is always on Abraham and his willingness to sacrifice his only son, God's promise to him. I haven't every heard anyone talk about what Isaac must have felt and experienced.

What about you? Have you ever wondered these things? Ever heard someone preach about it?

Long time no post

I had no idea it'd been over six months since I had posted anything on my blog. I am hoping to spend more time on here this year. Still working on getting the little one down for a regular nap. If I am successful, perhaps I will be able to carve out small bits of time to write on here. I'd do it after she goes to bed, but I prefer to catch up on the day with my husband. Perhaps I can make time for both.

Time is even more of a commodity for me these days. I keep a "to do" list on my phone of things I'd really like to accomplish so that, when I get a small window of time, I can work on one of them rather than wasting it. I think blogging is now on the list. So is sending out my book query letter. That will take a bit more time, but we will get there. I'm confident. :-) Anyway, here's to a new year and a new day!

The first birth

As I am a new mom and reading Genesis, I have been thinking about Eve and her experience becoming a mom. Eve didn't have a mom or any other women to tell her what the birthing process was going to be like. As a matter of fact, she had just been told that it was going to be painful. So I had a bunch of thoughts/questions about that first human birth. Did God tell her what to expect? Did he let her know that she would feel pain in her stomach and back and that meant the baby would be coming soon? Did he suggest positions for her to get into to help birth the baby? Did he instruct Adam about the umbilical cord and when/how to cut it? Was God Eve's birthing coach? And if so, what was that like - the creator of life helping to bring forth new life? Did she know about birth and how to nurse from watching the other mammals birth and care for their young? Or did God tell her that she could nourish her child from her breasts? All of these things that are hard to know. However, Genesis 4:1b says, "She said,'With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.'" And, of course, we should have known all along that God would provide Eve with what she needed. He provides for all of us. Thanks, God!

In the garden

I've started reading through Genesis. It seemed like a good place to start for the new year. Chapter three was interesting and really got me thinking. In the chapter, the man and the woman eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. They then hide from God when he comes to meet with them in the evening. God asks the man if he ate from the forbidden tree. His response is not admission, but blame. "The woman you put here with me". He's blaming both God and the woman, shifting all blame away from himself. For the moment, God ignores it and asks the woman what she did. She places blame on the serpent, claiming deception. This is a clear illustration of mankind's first response to getting caught in the wrong - try to deflect responsibility. It's so hard for me to admit wrongdoing and seek forgiveness and I'm not sure how comforting it is to know that it's never been the natural response.

So they get kicked out of the garden among other consequences. But one thing I noted was verse 21 "The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." Even though, they had just blatantly sinned against him, he still loved them and cared for them. He lovingly provided them with clothes to help ease their shame. It is so amazing to see how much God loves his creation. I know that when I've been hurt by others, my first reaction is not to consider how I may help them. But God shows us the best way to care for others.