Please read the [entirety of Psalm 127]… then list everything it says involving family.
“Sons are a heritage; children are a reward; sons of youth are like arrows; a man with many is happy; children bring honor.”
How did Christ blow the doors off our concept of family (Matthew 12:46-50)
“He taught that fellow believers are closer family than nonbelieving relatives.”
If you already have an ‘other,’ whether a mother or daughter figure, describe her place in your life.
“Mary is the greatest Mom-in-Law imaginable.
“(Linda was a great friend and mentor too – I miss her.)”
What do you think Psalm 127:1 conveys regarding family?
“A family must let God be an integral part of their home life to be on rock not sand or to be brick not straw or cardboard.”
Do you need to know today that Christ still specializes in home improvements? “yes” Without saying too much, write out a few places you’d like to see God perform some much-needed repairs.
“I need to do more than I ought to do, less that I want to do. More self-control/God control, less instant gratification. (More selling, giving, and throwing, less playing.)”
To prepare, please fill in the following blank based on today’s treasure (HCSB): Sons are indeed “a” heritage from the Lord, children, “a” reward.
Genesis 15:1 identifies the ultimate reward. What is it?
“God himself is our ‘shield’ and our ‘very great reward.’ (‘shield’ – a necessary defense, but not much of an offense)”
‘Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth.’ (Psalm 127:4, HCSB) Let’s meditate on this first before we conclude. Think of any way sons could be like arrows and write your parallels in this space.
“They could fight alongside their fathers to defend their land; they could farm with them; and eventually support them in their old age.”
I can’t think of a more appropriate way to end today’s lesson than to reflect on a time when someone took the position of arrow in your defense. Describe the situation as well as you can, without slandering the one who brought the offense.
“No one time comes to mind, but Daniel is quick to defend me verbally or more often physically even though the ‘attacks’ are harmless teasing. He is like my own Secret Service agent.”
Dearest Rachel –
I suppose that some of Daniel’s more militant defensive tendencies when he thought you were being insulted had to do with his condition; even on a high-functioning level, those on the spectrum have difficulty recognizing certain forms of humor as delivered. Then again, insult comedy is an acquired taste for a lot of us; I’ve never developed a liking for it, myself (although it could be argued that both you and I had certain qualities that distilled themselves in Daniel’s condition, to be honest, even if it’s not actually an inherited one).
Of course, let’s face it; you can say a lot of things about a man, even to his face, but when you say ought against his mother, you had best be prepared to throw down, as “them’s fightin’ words.” I may not come to blows about it at my age, but I would take issue with someone criticizing mine as well. Not that you ever would, as your comment about my Mom indicates.
I hardly need to tell you that tendency of his, while not as physical today, is still there in him, honey. Nobody would be advised to speak ill of you in his presence. Although, as with myself, that’s rarely an issue for those that know him and knew you, so you can rest easy that it doesn’t generally come up.
I will say that, when I think of the heritage that children – and especially sons – are, I can’t help but think in terms of one’s family line, and admit that that really isn’t something for me to look forward to. I hear men my age talking about their grandchildren, and I know that’s not something I can expect in my lifetime, if ever. As I’ve told you, he’s seen what I’ve gone through, and wants nothing to do with the dating scene.
Fortunately, as this study points out, children are not “the” reward from God, but “a” reward from God. Not everyone is blessed with them (and these days, not everyone considers them a blessing – although that may reflect more badly on them as opposed to their children), but that doesn’t mean that God has withheld His blessing from them. It only means He’s withheld this particular blessing.
And now that I’ve written that, I wonder if that applies to me as well. Just because you’ve had to go does not mean that God has removed His favor from me – and if I never find ‘Megumi,’ that doesn’t mean He’s no longer blessing me as well – it’s just that He has some other plan for me, I suppose. I will say that I wish I knew better what it was, though…
In any event, keep an eye on me, honey, and wish me luck. I’m going to need it.
Letters to Rachel 