Day 8 - How do you love?

GENESIS 25:1-26; 1CHRONICLES 1:28-34 (NIV)

Could you imagine having twins, loving one more than the other, and having one serve the other? In the days of Jacob and Esau, God proclaimed it just this way. Esau was first born and loved more by his father. Jacob was loved more by his mother. We see more about this story later. Personally, I couldn't imagine deciding which child I love more or which child I would have serve another. My children are each so dear to me - to make me chose which one I love more than another... I simply couldn't do it!

God knew, before the birth of Jacob and Esau, just who each of them were. He knew that Esau would not have a heart to obey Him. God answered Rebekah's prayer by telling her she would have two children, and the older one would serve the younger. He presented the future history of her two sons before her, that they would be two nations, the one greater than the other, and the elder should serve the younger. The first-born was entitled to peculiar advantages and special privileges, which belonged to no other members of the family.

As far as my family, I gained two children automatically when I met Rob. Sean was 11, Brooke was 5. Sean looked so much like Rob, he acted so much like his father. Brooke, her striking red hair, her perfect dimples, I just fell in-love. I wanted to see Sean successful from the beginning. He was always so smart! He figured out it takes doing the work and turning it in to pass and he even graduated high school early! As soon as Sean would put his mind to something - he would do it! Look at him now - he is an Active Duty Sailor who for the first time saw his ship yesterday! The pride and the excitement in his voice was wonderful to hear! Brooke is in 6th grade being asked to take Pre-AP classes next year. She doesn't have to even study to do well. She is full of SMARTS! She is 12 and one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen. Before Brianna was to join our family, I was happy if we never had more. I loved what we had when it was the four of us. I loved that I had a son and a daughter. There still were rough times of adjustments with a step mom in the picture, but we work through them. Then, we found out May 17th we were having a baby. There was joy, excitement, and nerves that all came in just like with anyone. Brianna has been the mother hen since birth. She is precious, her beautiful beauty mark that makes her hair colors women pay BIG money for, her little body, her perfect smile. She is Brianna, the 5 year old (wanting to be 12 like her sister). She loves Sean, Brooke, and Jayce. Before we moved to Minnesota I found out we were expecting again. We found out it was a boy. We debated up until we delivered what we would name him. Just the other day Rob looked at me and said "he couldn't be a different name; he is Jayce!". He is so right in that statement. Everyone adores little man. He is such a boy, cars, trucks, blocks, trains, sports...all boy! I think what I am saying is that in every level that my children are in in their lives, I love that level with them. I love that each of them are unique and love different things, but in the same way they love each other enough to love what the other ones love. I adore that they try to take care of one another when no one is supposed to be looking. I love seeing them all together! I love my children, I love my family. Rob and I are blessed to have the family that we have. I am blessed to have Rob!

Though it was apparent that Jacob and Esau were not treated as equals and not loved the same. God did have it planned that way for a reason. Just as I believe that God has a different plan in each one of my childrens' life. He made them all different, but He made them for our family! He calls me as their mother to love and protect them, to offer them up to Him in raising them in His word and desiring Him. He calls Rob as their dad to raise them with love, to discipline with love and authority, to protect, and to provide for them. He calls us as a family to serve Him in obedience. He has given us the biggest blessing of all... His love, His mercy, His grace, and His PERFECT plan. My goal in my family is to make sure that God is our center always in our home! As long as there is always love, always respect, and God as our center, we can follow His plan for our family.

Very Respectfully,
Leslie

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. - Romans 8:28