When People Don't

Ecclesiastes 10:7 "I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth."

Many things happen in this world, some make sense; some things don't. Of late I read an article about two people who had been married twenty years that were going their separate ways. It was poignant. It  gave the distinct impression that one of the people in the separation wasn't happy about it. Resigned would be the word I'd use.

Change: The More Things Change The More They Stay the Same~

The one writing the farewell began by stating: I know I'm not easy to live with...
Well, well in all truth and honesty--who is? I'm asserting that each one of us has faults, defects, frailties--you get the idea. Since no one is perfect, no one is 'easy to live with'. Granted, some are easier to live with than others, but there is more often than not, a period of adjustment.

The impression I got, was one person of the duo was resigned to becoming single, and the other person had things they wanted to do i.e. "I'm happy for you that you'll be going back to further your education". What? You mean that to go back to college requires you to leave your mate of twenty years behind? We understand how callous that is when men begin families then leave them behind for something and someone new. That's shallow and callous.

Do we ever outgrow the people we love? Should we ever outgrow the people we love?

 I have a feeling that in the case of the original couple the 'she' of the pair at least thought she wanted something different. Maybe it was the 'change of life' syndrome. Both men and women have those 'changes', by the way. In the case of this 'she', it sounded like a syndrome of the grass is greener somewhere else. The answer in that case is, the grass is always greener where you water it.

There were three comments. The one summed it up in a short comment--Quitters, you couldn't have tried a little harder? Of course we don't know all the circumstances, but after twenty years where was the disconnect--and couldn't they have looked for it? But it takes two in a relationship. If one half isn't interested it doesn't work.

We all grow and change. I've been a lot of places, seen a lot of things in my life, but I will always be me. The people I love will always be in my heart. I don't intend to trade them in for something more green. I loved my grandparents and my in-laws. We tried to do for them as much as we could. As my husband and I grew older our house often was the spot for the Thanksgiving meals, and Christmas meals, and birthdays. Wherever we went we took them along.With each of their passing a part of my life went with them. I've wrapped it up in a neat little place in my heart.

But I wish I had known several things when I was in my younger years that I've discovered with aging.

• I've discovered, there are things I can't do. And I won't ask someone else to do it. One of the side notes is--it isn't I wouldn't let someone do it for me, or at least help, but if people don't care enough to be in my life to find out what I need, I'm not going to ask them.
• I've discovered that the family I thought was the greatest family on earth--isn't.
• I've discovered that all of us, as we go through life never do the things we want. Sure, we try to do the right things, but trying isn't accomplishing, and life is not easy. Modern life is horrible on families--even the greatest family on earth. 
• I've discovered to be kind. Many people would do better--see last discovery. I've apologized profusely for not getting enough done, even though the Good Lord knows I really wanted to, because I love, and have loved my family so much. 
• I've discovered that, just as the ex-pro football player said, there is no amount of fame in your younger life that makes up for being forgotten when you're older.

 2Corinthians 1:3  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 4)  who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
                              Hallelujah, what a Savior. 

Who Will Be Your Leader?

In life we have leaders and followers. Leaders in all walks of life. What makes a good leader?  Maybe even who makes a good leader? I would like to look at some of the leaders we find in the scriptures through a series of posts. 

Years ago, I read a book, One Straw Revolution, written by a Japanese man by the name of Manasobu Fukuoka. It has been so long ago I don't remember a lot of it, but one part resonated with me, and I will rephrase it since the wording seemed somewhat questionable, the gist was most people if given their choice of the type of ruler (leader) would choose the guy that wee's by the side of the road. Or, in my way of thinking an unassuming type of fellow that allows people to be free.


Moses as a young man sets out to save his fellow Israelites. He was raised as the son of Pharoh's daughter in the palace, but his own mother had been paid to nurse him after Pharoh's daughter found him in the little boat and drew him 'out of the water'. He probably was in his parents' care until he was five years old. During the important formative years.

However, at the age of forty he is out and about where he sees an Egyptian beating and Israelite. He comes to the aid of the Israelite, and the Egyptian dies. The next day he tries to separate two Israelites who are fighting. And this is what happens:

 Exodus 2:13  "And he went out the second day, and, behold, two men of the Hebrews were striving together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 14)  And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?"

What a shock to poor Moses. Here he thought God had a purpose for him to be a helper for God's people. He was trying to help them to be 'free'. And what's more, Pharoh was after him now. So he fled to a land far away. A land called Midian. Moses liked Midian. It was peaceful and quiet. He liked the sheep, The sheep liked him. He was given a wife. He had food, lodging, a wife, and sheep. What more could he want? What more could he ask?

Then God appears to him in the burning bush with a mission. And Moses says to God:
Exods 4:13  And he said, Oh, Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

Basically Moses says, thanks, but no thanks, God. Find someone else to lead your people. Moses had seen the heart of these people all he wanted to see, back when the two Hebrews were striving together.

Moses didn't desire money, power, or prestige. You couldn't give him anything that would make him desire the role of leading these people out of the land of Egypt.  But God still said, GO-- and he went. Not for money, nor for gain, but for God.
Hallelujah. What a Saviour.