Genesis 29:32-35:
Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me no
w.” She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the LORD heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon.
Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.
She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” So she named him Judah.I was struck by this passage for a couple of reasons, first of all thank God I'm not Leah! I can't imagine the heart ache of sharing a husband AND not being the favorite. Had I been in her situation I would have begged for change too. I would have looked at every wonderful thing happening and been sure that God was fixing my situation and making it better...
but some t
hings can't be fixed. Some things can't be fixed. Does that statement bother you the way it bothers me? I know God is all powerful, I know He can do anything, I know with determination and God's help I can accomplish great things. But I have found that no matter how many band-aids, prayers or hours I put into some things - they just can't be fixed because we live in a broken world.
However, some things can change and what I noticed in this passage was that Leah's perspective changed. She moved from "now my husband will love me" to "I will praise the God who loves me." Subtle but huge. Did she still wish her husband loved her? I'm gonna take a guess and say yes. Was this wish her central focus? After the fourth son, no.
When we're caught up in what we want fixed we miss out on what we could already have. I can think of nothing better than enjoying a loving God who is close to us, interested in the daily stuff of our lives, who works things out for our good in the end, who gives us peace, guidance and the unconditional love all of us crave (including Leah)!
Some things can't be fixed, but God is waiting to walk with us if we'll change our perspective.
1 comment:
I too share your conclusion. Maybe they don't need to be fixed, but excepted and embraced in a merciful and graceful way. You do what you can and keep a good attitude. That will stretch you. A test of what where and who we are in our responses of....having to admittedly, humbly finding we just do not know. Learning to lean on the only One who truly knows!
Had know idea why life was sooo hard for me till our child was labeled autistic. Then the news came to me after being tested,
hfa.
As I learned more, I saw why I had the seemingly built in abilities to
deal with not only freaked out kids in daycare, but parents, horses, feral cats...and mean as junk yard dogs! It took a lot time, patients, and just plain old love loves. Convincing them they were worth it all, showing them how not to give up on their selves. What I call hanging in there no matter what it looks like feels like or smells like.
I would love to be able to do something wonderful like you in the midst of my fray....hoping my time will come soon. Thank you for spurring me on gently.
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