Thursday, January 10, 2013

With Us

This morning Mom, Kara and I were talking about children in our daily Bible study;  how they're a blessing and not a curse, a reward, not a grievance to bear throughout life, a career more fulfilling than one's own desires. (If God calls you to that.)

As all of us sat lounging around the living room with open Bibles and a couple pens, (and me munching an orange and sipping hot chocolate,) we all read Psalm 127's opinion of children  (which, of course, is actually God's opinion of them.) It goes:

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

We went on to talk about exactly what these verses mean, how they are right - despite the popular opinion that children are nuisances - "One or two, only, ladies!"

I thought about all the opposition that we have against us, my mind perusing over the hoards and hoards of women's lib. advocates and the  reasoning behind "Why your life should be more like ours...freedom, equality, a career, a fulfilled life..."

Through the course of this post, I would ask you:: Why do we cling to this belief, this life, when women all around us pity and wonder at our strange choices? Skirts, long hair, stay-at-home life, submission?

The answer is a simple one. Because God gives us the strength - the willingness to do what He's asked, the ability to trust that His way is right.

As we finished reading five verses of Psalm 127, my eye slid down to Psalm 128, and warmth filled my heart.


128:


Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table


God knows. He's sees the opposition, knows that it's discouraging, and won't give us more than we can bear.

I don't have a problem living this way; God gives me the strength to hold true and I know it's where I'd be most happy, most fulfilled, most content - It's what I'm made to do. I'm am joyfully grateful to walk in the path God has laid out for me, and I cherish my place in His plan...But that doesn't stop others from being discouraging.

God doesn't point you down a dark, dangerous trail full of briers, rocks and pitfalls and say "Here you go, good luck." Nope. He walks beside you and gives you strength to keep going, is waiting when you don't listen and walk proudly into a mud hole that you couldn't possibly have seen, and whispers "joy comes in the morning" when a long night leaves you discouraged.

 He's with us the whole time - and He promised He'd never leave.

Despite what well-meaning people will try to tell you, despite what tears you may shed over feeling alone and misunderstood, all the difficulty fades away when God says, "Well done. Blessed are ye when men will revile and persecute you, I'm pleased that you're choosing my way - your trust won't be disappointed. I'm going to bless you." You suddenly realize that every heartache melts away in the warmth of His favor - and it's well worth it.



2 comments:

David and Christine Keller said...

This is SO encouraging!! It is so wonderful to read God's word and see all the promises he has given us!

Lauralea said...

Thank you for sharing what the Lord has been revealing to you in his word. I was blessed to hear it.