Unloved!

When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.” Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing. Genesis 29:31-35

Jacob didn't love Leah but instead loved her sister Rachel. This story is usually told according to the perspective of how Jacob and Rachel must have felt at being tricked by her father Laban into marrying Leah. Let's take time to consider how Leah must have felt having to marry a man who was in love with her sister. No matter what Leah did right her husbands heart belonged to Rachel. That takes sibling rivalry to a whole new level.

According to these verses it sounds like she held on to some hope that he would come to love her eventually. She really shows unconditional love to her husband because you don't hear her complaining. God blessed her for her faithfulness to her husband by giving her so many children plus a longer life than her sister Rachel and she was buried with her husband Jacob. He did come to the end of his life treating her with great respect and the honor she deserved.

Leah teaches with her life to trust God no matter the circumstances. To never lose hope and especially to never complain of the situation you find yourself.  God allows these trials in our life to refine our faith or the faith of others!

 This picture was taken in Savannah, Georgia on March 2013.

The Power Of Words

 "The tongue has the power of life and death." Proverbs 18:21

Our words can create life or create death. We can speak blessing or speak curse. What are we saying to those around us? Are we complaining or are we rejoicing? The words of negativity can kill our spirit and the spirit of those around us. Is there any bitterness coming from our lips? Are we building up those around us? 

With our tongues we can lie, gossip and argue or we can be honest, uplift others and be a  peacemaker. Children automatically begin to say the word "no" as toddlers. It is in our nature to do wrong so we have to live intentionally to do right. We need to remind ourselves to keep our speech pure and right. The scriptures are telling us the importance of the words we speak.

Have you ever been around anyone whose words make you feel ill? We all know people who speak with such toxic words that we cannot be around them for very long. We really need to evaluate our own speech to be sure we are not the person guilty of spreading toxic words to those around us. 

"Keep your mouth closed and you’ll stay out of trouble."  Proverbs 21:23

 Flowers in my garden June 2013.

When Our Heart Bleeds

There are times in everyone's life that causes pain. I don't know why things happen but they do.  The best thing I know to do in the midst of all the pain is to pray, read God's Word and seek good counsel. On the days that we are not able to even manage a prayer we can ask others to pray for us. Then there are the days that even asking others to pray seems difficult, so don't do anything at all. God will meet us where we are in that moment. In the midst of the pain we should continue to press on even though we don't feel like it. There are moments we don't believe we can make the effort and just need to lie still. We can't see what lies ahead when we are in the midst of the difficulty but we need to trust in God. He is our HOPE. I am grateful to have a God that allows us to cling to Him when all hope is gone!

Pray and seek God in everything! We may not always feel Him during those difficult times but we must trust that He is carrying us.

Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
  

I took this picture at sunrise on the beach October 17, 2010 
after my nephew James passed away.