As I write this, my son and his wife are on their way to Atlanta. Yep. They're moving there, lock, stock, and barrel. Just like Abram and Sarai, they’re leaving their native land, the one of their fathers and grandfathers and heading out for uncharted territory (family-wise). They’ll still be in the South, but a good three hours separates them from the nearest relative, one of Amanda’s brothers.
They have my utmost respect and admiration for “following their hearts,” for doing what they feel they feel they should do in the place where they feel led to go. Did God tell them to go there like He told Abram? I don’t know; I hope so. What I do know is that regardless of the many differences between those Old Testament days and the days of the 21st century, leaving everyone except your spouse to begin a new chapter in your life can be daunting.
A few differences: Paul and Amanda have two cars, a moving van, and her parents’ vehicle to take things with them; Abram and Sarai had donkeys and camels. Paul and Amanda have lots of “stuff,” stuff like two televisions, a computer (maybe two), two beds, couches, kitchenware, a microwave, tons of books, clothes, and even a Wii (is that spelled correctly?). The couple of yore probably didn’t have nearly as many possessions. Paul and Amanda used Google to help them chart their way; Abram and Sarai just headed out, not knowing where they’d end up. If the young couple get hungry, they can stop anywhere along the road and choose from an array of different foods. Hmmm. I wonder what Abram and Sarai took along the road towards Canaan. When they get to Atlanta, they’ll call to let us know of their safe arrival. Later, they’ll keep in touch with cell phones and emails. How did the Old Testament couple contact family they’d left behind?
While there are lots of differences between the two couples, there are parallels too. Many of us have experienced changes in location. Even moving from a parents’ home into an apartment can be scary, fun but scary too. Moving to another neighborhood, changing jobs, transferring to a different school…all of these things can be a bit overwhelming.
Like Sarai and Amanda, there will be times when all of us will leave our land. How will we fare? Will we look forward to it with anticipation and faith, or will we go “kicking and screaming?” Or will we even go at all? Will we instead allow fear and the need for security keep us from leaving our comfort zones?
I don’t know for sure, I think Sarai was probably glad she went. Just look at all of the interesting adventures she had! I hope the modern day Sarai, Amanda, is glad she went too. She’s going to have hundreds of great experiences and adventures there in Atlanta. ..one of which is an upcoming Braves game.
Good luck, You Guys! Keep the faith. And call home.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sarai's Faithfulness
We’re always hearing about Father Abraham and the Abrahamic covenant. When people discuss Biblical genealogy, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are mentioned. That’s all well and good, and I have no problem with it at all. It was a patriarchal society “back in the day.” In fact, in most cultures of the world, that’s still the case, even in the good old U.S. of A. That’s fine with me.
At the same time, I can’t help but wonder about the life of “Mother Sarai.” 90 years old when her only child Isaac was born, she was quite a gal by anyone’s standards. We know a little about her from the scriptures, and I often find myself marveling at what a woman of strength she was. How would you react if your husband came home and said, “We’re moving.” That’s it. No discussion. Just, “We’re moving because God told me to leave this country and go to one that He’s going to show me.” I wonder if she was afraid. Did she see it as an adventure? Was she reluctant to leave family and friends, or was she looking forward to a change of scene? Regardless of her feelings, Sarai (later called Sarah) went with Abram (who later became Abraham).
Fast forward a little bit, and we see the two of them in Egypt without resources or connections. Knowing that Sarai’s beauty is an asset, Abraham tells her to tell the Egyptians that she is his sister. In actuality, she was his half-sister, but her primary role throughout the scriptures is that of Abraham’s wife, not his sister. Still, Abraham wants her to do this so that they can survive in the land. Does she squawk or complain or refuse her husband’s request? No, again Sarai does as he asks and is soon a part of Pharaoh’s harem of beautiful women.
In one chapter, Genesis 12, here are two examples of the actions of a faithful wife who, without hesitation, does as her husband asks, not knowing what her future will hold. As it turns out, they have a bit of a challenge reaching the land of Canaan and end up in Egypt. Their survival at stake, Sarai uses her beauty, feminine wiles, and a smidgen (?) of deception to become a part of the pharaoh’s household.
I can’t help but wonder what Sarai thought about as she moved about the palace. Did she “rue the day” she ever left Haran? Did she miss Abram and doubt whether she’d ever see him again? Did she know that Pharaoh had given her husband sheep, oxen, servants, and camels in exchange for her? If she knew, did she resent it, or did she somehow know that Abraham would free her?
What about you? Have you ever followed your husband to another part of the country away from family, friends, and familiar surroundings because of a job offer or educational opportunities? Have you ever lived in less-than-perfect surroundings while the two of you “got on your feet?” Were there children involved? Did that add to your uncertainty about the future? Did you doubt your husband’s “promptings,” or did you trust his judgment emphatically?
At the same time, I can’t help but wonder about the life of “Mother Sarai.” 90 years old when her only child Isaac was born, she was quite a gal by anyone’s standards. We know a little about her from the scriptures, and I often find myself marveling at what a woman of strength she was. How would you react if your husband came home and said, “We’re moving.” That’s it. No discussion. Just, “We’re moving because God told me to leave this country and go to one that He’s going to show me.” I wonder if she was afraid. Did she see it as an adventure? Was she reluctant to leave family and friends, or was she looking forward to a change of scene? Regardless of her feelings, Sarai (later called Sarah) went with Abram (who later became Abraham).
Fast forward a little bit, and we see the two of them in Egypt without resources or connections. Knowing that Sarai’s beauty is an asset, Abraham tells her to tell the Egyptians that she is his sister. In actuality, she was his half-sister, but her primary role throughout the scriptures is that of Abraham’s wife, not his sister. Still, Abraham wants her to do this so that they can survive in the land. Does she squawk or complain or refuse her husband’s request? No, again Sarai does as he asks and is soon a part of Pharaoh’s harem of beautiful women.
In one chapter, Genesis 12, here are two examples of the actions of a faithful wife who, without hesitation, does as her husband asks, not knowing what her future will hold. As it turns out, they have a bit of a challenge reaching the land of Canaan and end up in Egypt. Their survival at stake, Sarai uses her beauty, feminine wiles, and a smidgen (?) of deception to become a part of the pharaoh’s household.
I can’t help but wonder what Sarai thought about as she moved about the palace. Did she “rue the day” she ever left Haran? Did she miss Abram and doubt whether she’d ever see him again? Did she know that Pharaoh had given her husband sheep, oxen, servants, and camels in exchange for her? If she knew, did she resent it, or did she somehow know that Abraham would free her?
What about you? Have you ever followed your husband to another part of the country away from family, friends, and familiar surroundings because of a job offer or educational opportunities? Have you ever lived in less-than-perfect surroundings while the two of you “got on your feet?” Were there children involved? Did that add to your uncertainty about the future? Did you doubt your husband’s “promptings,” or did you trust his judgment emphatically?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Modern Day Eve
This is a post about a modern day Eve who was able to recognize a real serpent in her life, know it for what it was, and make appropriate choices. Marie, a young woman in the church I attend, shared a “snake story” with the congregation on Sunday, and I’ve been thinking about it off and on ever since. I’m constantly amazed at the strength and depth of the young people in our LDS ward. It could be that all teens are this way, but somehow I don’t think so. They’re pretty remarkable. But on with the story.
Last week several youth went to Youth Conference, a three-day event held at a college in NC; I think it was Western Carolina. Anyway, at the beginning of Sacrament meeting, the bishop asked three of the attendees to speak about their experiences, and although all of the speakers were fabulous (especially at such short notice), it’s Marie whom I’m thinking of today. She spoke of one event that exemplified three principles. I really don’t know that many adults with the perception and awareness that she displayed and who could speak with such clarity and confidence.
The event: As Marie and some of the other young people were riding in a boat, they looked up, and to their surprise and fear, they spied a snake. One of the young men flung (?) it into the water and away from them.
· Lesson 1: Someone was brave enough to face the serpent and keep the others safe. Marie commented that we could all be like that when facing evil (a.k.a. Satan) by being courageous and casting him aside.
· Lesson 2: No one saw the snake until the boat was right beneath it. Marie reminded us that Satan is stealthy and sly, ever vigilant for the right moment to strike. Hence, we must always be watchful and alert to his wiles.
· Lesson 3: Just when I was thinking of what great principles Marie extracted from that one incident, she hit us with the best one of all. None of the young people knew whether the snake was poisonous or not. However, they didn’t want to take any chances so they (or one of them) hurled it away from them. Isn’t that profound? Sometimes you can look evil right in the face and not recognize it, so the best thing to do is to err on the side of caution.
I guess the point of all this is to say that Satan is alive and well on planet Earth, but we might not recognize him right away. All around us are wolves in sheep’s clothing, people who appear to be “so good,” but they could lead us astray by telling us just what we want and need to hear. We, like the youth of our ward, need to be ever on the lookout for the tempter’s disguises and deceptions so that we too can hurl him aside and keep on going down the river, poison-free.
Last week several youth went to Youth Conference, a three-day event held at a college in NC; I think it was Western Carolina. Anyway, at the beginning of Sacrament meeting, the bishop asked three of the attendees to speak about their experiences, and although all of the speakers were fabulous (especially at such short notice), it’s Marie whom I’m thinking of today. She spoke of one event that exemplified three principles. I really don’t know that many adults with the perception and awareness that she displayed and who could speak with such clarity and confidence.
The event: As Marie and some of the other young people were riding in a boat, they looked up, and to their surprise and fear, they spied a snake. One of the young men flung (?) it into the water and away from them.
· Lesson 1: Someone was brave enough to face the serpent and keep the others safe. Marie commented that we could all be like that when facing evil (a.k.a. Satan) by being courageous and casting him aside.
· Lesson 2: No one saw the snake until the boat was right beneath it. Marie reminded us that Satan is stealthy and sly, ever vigilant for the right moment to strike. Hence, we must always be watchful and alert to his wiles.
· Lesson 3: Just when I was thinking of what great principles Marie extracted from that one incident, she hit us with the best one of all. None of the young people knew whether the snake was poisonous or not. However, they didn’t want to take any chances so they (or one of them) hurled it away from them. Isn’t that profound? Sometimes you can look evil right in the face and not recognize it, so the best thing to do is to err on the side of caution.
I guess the point of all this is to say that Satan is alive and well on planet Earth, but we might not recognize him right away. All around us are wolves in sheep’s clothing, people who appear to be “so good,” but they could lead us astray by telling us just what we want and need to hear. We, like the youth of our ward, need to be ever on the lookout for the tempter’s disguises and deceptions so that we too can hurl him aside and keep on going down the river, poison-free.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Eve's Choice
Genesis 3:12-13
“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord said unto the woman, What is this that thou has done? And the woman saith, The serpent beguiled me and I did eat.”
God emphatically gave instructions to Adam and Eve about eating the fruit of the tree, but they fell short. They went against his wishes and did as they pleased. And just like other humans, they were reluctant to ‘fess up’ and say, “Yes, I did it, and I was wrong.” Instead they both passed the buck; Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent.
Aren’t we all a little like this? Almost daily I hear someone say, “If it weren’t for my children, spouse, parents, or friends, I’d have an education…or a better job. I might even move out of this one-horse town.” We all have choices. We can all be proactive and act of our own initiative. True, there are consequences to all of our choices, consequences that will affect not only us but others as well. Choosing responsibly takes those consequences into account since the decisions we make today can cast a long shadow on the future, ours and those of the ones we love. Yet blaming another for our mistakes or hard lot in life shifts the responsibility of decision making onto others rather than putting ourselves in the driver’s seat. A person with an internal locus of control, however, realizes that good or bad, wrong or right, he’s “the master of his fate.”
“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord said unto the woman, What is this that thou has done? And the woman saith, The serpent beguiled me and I did eat.”
God emphatically gave instructions to Adam and Eve about eating the fruit of the tree, but they fell short. They went against his wishes and did as they pleased. And just like other humans, they were reluctant to ‘fess up’ and say, “Yes, I did it, and I was wrong.” Instead they both passed the buck; Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent.
Aren’t we all a little like this? Almost daily I hear someone say, “If it weren’t for my children, spouse, parents, or friends, I’d have an education…or a better job. I might even move out of this one-horse town.” We all have choices. We can all be proactive and act of our own initiative. True, there are consequences to all of our choices, consequences that will affect not only us but others as well. Choosing responsibly takes those consequences into account since the decisions we make today can cast a long shadow on the future, ours and those of the ones we love. Yet blaming another for our mistakes or hard lot in life shifts the responsibility of decision making onto others rather than putting ourselves in the driver’s seat. A person with an internal locus of control, however, realizes that good or bad, wrong or right, he’s “the master of his fate.”
Monday, July 21, 2008
Lessons from Eve
A work friend and I were recently talking about favorite stories from the Bible, and interestingly, all of his were about men, men like Moses, Noah, Daniel, and Paul. "What about the women," I asked? "After all, you know what they say about the power behind the throne. His reply??? Incredulously, it was something like, "I have to admit that I really don't know about any women in the Bible. Oh, there's Eve...and Mary, the mother of Christ. Are there more?"
Are there more??? There surely are, and we can learn lessons from all of them. We know about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but what about Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel? What were their lives really like? What lessons can we learn from them? The Bible tells us that no prophet has ever lived like Moses, but what about his wife Zipporah? Can we learn from her? I think we can...and from Hannah, Jezebel, Tamar, Rahab, and Naomi too. Oh, and poor Hagar. What a dreadful life she must have lived, knowing that Sarah despised her after Ishmael was born. What would she say to us if she could speak? Martha, Dorcas, Elisabeth, and other New Testament sisters stand ready to teach us as well.
It might seem a bit "far out," but I've decided to start a blog about the lessons we can learn from Eve and her sisters. Yes, I know that she didn't literally have sisters of flesh and blood as she and Adam went about their lives in the Garden of Eden and afterwards. Still, all these generations later, women everywhere can learn about choices from her.
Hmmm. I'm going to have to put some more thought into this. For tonight, suffice it to say, that we can learn from Eve and all of her sisters.
Are there more??? There surely are, and we can learn lessons from all of them. We know about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but what about Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel? What were their lives really like? What lessons can we learn from them? The Bible tells us that no prophet has ever lived like Moses, but what about his wife Zipporah? Can we learn from her? I think we can...and from Hannah, Jezebel, Tamar, Rahab, and Naomi too. Oh, and poor Hagar. What a dreadful life she must have lived, knowing that Sarah despised her after Ishmael was born. What would she say to us if she could speak? Martha, Dorcas, Elisabeth, and other New Testament sisters stand ready to teach us as well.
It might seem a bit "far out," but I've decided to start a blog about the lessons we can learn from Eve and her sisters. Yes, I know that she didn't literally have sisters of flesh and blood as she and Adam went about their lives in the Garden of Eden and afterwards. Still, all these generations later, women everywhere can learn about choices from her.
Hmmm. I'm going to have to put some more thought into this. For tonight, suffice it to say, that we can learn from Eve and all of her sisters.
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