All About Family

I have a little story to tell, that was given to me as a gift of grace, by a benevolent Abba, the One who wishes joy on His children. It’s an idealogical reference to the meaning of security, and the comfort of family.

One busy workday, which just so happened to be my birthday, I walked out towards my car after the long day was over. There were three young men waiting for me outside, who told me to get in their car, instead, because they were taking me somewhere, and I had no choice in the matter. I was being “kid”napped (literally!) I was happy to do so, because, you see, these three wonderful and handsome youngsters were my sons, coming to take me on a birthday adventure (in their dad’s car, which they took over for the occasion, since the dad was far, far away, at the time!) It was an unplanned and happy diversion and satisfying to this mother of men. This is a very joyful memory, a bright and shining point of time, which I have stored away in my heart.

The Lord brought this beautifully arranged gift from Him (because who else could give so great and perfect a gift?) back into my mind, recently, as an answer to a prayer. I had been pondering our upcoming change of location, which will be unplanned by us, but has had it’s appointed time since the beginning. I was wondering what it would be like, since my nature is of the kind that is afraid of change and wants to be able to control circumstances. He brought back this precious memory as an answer to my question. Our Father doesn’t give us the ticket until it’s time to leave, and now HE has given me enough understanding to look forward, with great love, to the next great adventure!

The First and Second Child of Zion

 Hosea 9:10-12

I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season. But they came to Baal-peor and devoted themselves to [a]shame, And they became as detestable as that which they loved. As for Ephraim, their glory will fly away like a bird—No birth, no pregnancy, and no conception! Though they bring up their children, Yet I will bereave them of their children [b]until not a person is left.Yes, woe to them indeed when I depart from them!

Isaiah 66:7-9 “Before she was in labor, she delivered; Before her pain came, she gave birth to a boy. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be [a]born in one day? Can a nation be given birth all at once? As soon as Zion was in labor, she also delivered her sons. Shall I bring to the point of birth but not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?” says your God.

Revelation 12 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2 and she was pregnant and she *cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven crowns. 4 And his tail *swept away a third of the stars of heaven and hurled them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her Child.5 And she gave birth to a Son, a male, who is going to [a]rule all the [b]nations with a rod of iron; and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.

The first child….and now, the second when she is in the wilderness during her pain and labor…..

 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she *had a place prepared by God, so that there [c]she would be nourished for 1,260 days. 17 So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her [g]children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.