Today will be a short entry because I believe the lesson I learnt today in my study of King David is self-explanatory. It had an impact on me that has taught me one lesson and one only. That is to never ever get greedy with blessings, to be grateful for what I have and if things greater than that were to come - I will accept them willingly - but never want/covet/seek for more...
Here it is.
In 2 Samuel 12 there is a parable that has made me think. It is about "two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter." One day the rich man received a visitor but instead of using his flock or herd to provide a meal - he took the poor man's lamb. (2 Samuel 12:1-4)
When King David heard this his anger was greatly kindled, and he condemned the rich man to death, but before that ordered him to repay the lamb fourfold, because he had no pity. To which Nathan said to David - "Thou art the Man." (2 Samuel 12:7)
David was reminded that he was annointed the King over Israel, was delivered out of the hands of his murderous father-in-law, already had many wives and ruler over the house of Israel and of Judah and if he was ever to want for anything - would have been blessed with whatever he needed. Yet, he had caused the death of Uriah so that he could marry Uriah's wife Bathsheba who he had already slept with and made pregnant.... (2 Samuel 12:8-9)
Never have four words caused such a reaction in me. Now the trick to learning is to always apply your newly acquired knowledge to yourself, which I have done which has caused another healthy dose of self-reflection. I have not committed adultery and caused the death of another to cover up for that fact - however I have wanted things that were not mine, and wanted more than I have, sometimes little and then sometimes fanciful like winning lotto ;-) But - not after today, and not after I recall this parable.
I will be grateful for my aging yet functioning body, my responsible and handsome husband, my quiet yet wonderful teenagers, my honest and loyal friends, my caring and humorous family and my challenging job.
I pray that I will never be the [wo]man that regardless of all of this wants just a little more that is enough to cause me to lose everything I ever wanted and already have.
Yours in friendship,
Mxox
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Lessons from a King
Recently I have been studying the life of King David and this is what I have learnt.
LESSON ONE: If you've got it - you've got it!
The story of David and Goliath is one that is been told throughout time and places and is one that has so many lessons to it. The first lesson I learnt is that when someone is chosen to do something - who are we to argue? Really - who are we to know better? The prophet Samuel was sent to look for a son of Jesse, and Jesse, trying to protect his youngest - had David do some errands to evade detection. Despite those attempts - David whilst doing his fathers' bidding, was discovered by Saul and fulfilled his part in the fight against the giant Phillistine - Goliath.
LESSON TWO: Teenagers are invincible ;-)
Years ago I taught Human Development and was most intrigued by the adolescent part of a human life. At the time my children were only little and read where tenagers view themselves as being invincible as most disturbing given the dangers that this particular agegroup encounter such as, navigating through the onset of hormones, resisting peer pressure and other social conforming attitudes. Today I realised besides the most important fact that when David stood before Goliath, his God was with him that day, this child, who with very little resources at his disposal - had in fact a healthy dose of invincibility. He had faith in God, but he also had no fear. This will help me raise my sons to know that they can walk with no fear during these teenage years, and even think they are invincible - but only with the back up from their God.
LESSON THREE: True Friendship
Today we talked about Jonathan. We don't know much about him except he was a true friend to David who is described to have loved David "as his own soul". You and I would be blessed to have such a friend, however what makes this remarkable is that Jonathan had a plethora of reasons to hate and despise David. You see, Jonathan was the son of the King Saul and should have been the next in line for the throne - however David was chosen instead. He should have been in charge of the Kings armies - but again David was chosen. We read that David reaps praises of the people that even surpass that of Jonathan's father - the King, yet Jonathan does not turn away from their friendship. Instead, Jonathan is such a true friend that he talks of David's achievement and greatness to his own father, and where Saul kills priests who show David kindness, Jonathan shares the King's intelligence with David and helps him elude the murderous King. This all done at risk to his own life. Jonathan is a true friend.
LESSON FOUR: Jealousy can happen to all of us...
David was chosen to be the King to follow after Saul. Yet after David had won one too many battles and the love of the people started to include David, King Saul became jealous. His jealously grew so much that he tried to kill David not once, but three times. First he arranged to have him sent to war where he would be most vulnerable, the second with a javelin aimed at David and missed, and the third when he arranged for David to be killed in the morning, only for his daughter (David's wife) to have forewarned David and helped him to escape. The lesson here is that jealously can happen to all of us, and need to be aware of it and not let it stay in our hearts otherwise added to pride and other emotions, it will make us bitter, twisted and unproductive - and even lead us to make wasteful decisions.
LESSON FIVE: Revenge
When David is presented an opportunity to exact his revenge on King Saul - he doesn't. Instead when he sees King Saul again, David bows before him and says "My lord the King". David goes on to tell King Saul that although his men were telling him to kill the King, he refused because that judgement was for God to make - and he spared his life. Saul realises what David has done, or rather not done, and cries and knows that he has in fact committed a far greater wrong against David and is broken. Today we were asked: What does David's example teach us about revenge? I hear often of how revenge is rewarding, but in this instance I learnt 1) it is better, once you are in the position, to let your offender know that if you wanted, you could exact revenge, but more importantly, 2) the judgement of the offender is perhaps not ours to make - and that there is a higher judgement that will come.
There are so many lessons from a King who lived so many years ago, yet just as relevant today as then. Hope there is something there for you too...
Yours in friendship,
Mxox
LESSON ONE: If you've got it - you've got it!
The story of David and Goliath is one that is been told throughout time and places and is one that has so many lessons to it. The first lesson I learnt is that when someone is chosen to do something - who are we to argue? Really - who are we to know better? The prophet Samuel was sent to look for a son of Jesse, and Jesse, trying to protect his youngest - had David do some errands to evade detection. Despite those attempts - David whilst doing his fathers' bidding, was discovered by Saul and fulfilled his part in the fight against the giant Phillistine - Goliath.
LESSON TWO: Teenagers are invincible ;-)
Years ago I taught Human Development and was most intrigued by the adolescent part of a human life. At the time my children were only little and read where tenagers view themselves as being invincible as most disturbing given the dangers that this particular agegroup encounter such as, navigating through the onset of hormones, resisting peer pressure and other social conforming attitudes. Today I realised besides the most important fact that when David stood before Goliath, his God was with him that day, this child, who with very little resources at his disposal - had in fact a healthy dose of invincibility. He had faith in God, but he also had no fear. This will help me raise my sons to know that they can walk with no fear during these teenage years, and even think they are invincible - but only with the back up from their God.
LESSON THREE: True Friendship
Today we talked about Jonathan. We don't know much about him except he was a true friend to David who is described to have loved David "as his own soul". You and I would be blessed to have such a friend, however what makes this remarkable is that Jonathan had a plethora of reasons to hate and despise David. You see, Jonathan was the son of the King Saul and should have been the next in line for the throne - however David was chosen instead. He should have been in charge of the Kings armies - but again David was chosen. We read that David reaps praises of the people that even surpass that of Jonathan's father - the King, yet Jonathan does not turn away from their friendship. Instead, Jonathan is such a true friend that he talks of David's achievement and greatness to his own father, and where Saul kills priests who show David kindness, Jonathan shares the King's intelligence with David and helps him elude the murderous King. This all done at risk to his own life. Jonathan is a true friend.
LESSON FOUR: Jealousy can happen to all of us...
David was chosen to be the King to follow after Saul. Yet after David had won one too many battles and the love of the people started to include David, King Saul became jealous. His jealously grew so much that he tried to kill David not once, but three times. First he arranged to have him sent to war where he would be most vulnerable, the second with a javelin aimed at David and missed, and the third when he arranged for David to be killed in the morning, only for his daughter (David's wife) to have forewarned David and helped him to escape. The lesson here is that jealously can happen to all of us, and need to be aware of it and not let it stay in our hearts otherwise added to pride and other emotions, it will make us bitter, twisted and unproductive - and even lead us to make wasteful decisions.
LESSON FIVE: Revenge
When David is presented an opportunity to exact his revenge on King Saul - he doesn't. Instead when he sees King Saul again, David bows before him and says "My lord the King". David goes on to tell King Saul that although his men were telling him to kill the King, he refused because that judgement was for God to make - and he spared his life. Saul realises what David has done, or rather not done, and cries and knows that he has in fact committed a far greater wrong against David and is broken. Today we were asked: What does David's example teach us about revenge? I hear often of how revenge is rewarding, but in this instance I learnt 1) it is better, once you are in the position, to let your offender know that if you wanted, you could exact revenge, but more importantly, 2) the judgement of the offender is perhaps not ours to make - and that there is a higher judgement that will come.
There are so many lessons from a King who lived so many years ago, yet just as relevant today as then. Hope there is something there for you too...
Yours in friendship,
Mxox
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Thank you Mr and Mrs Inventor
This week I endured four flights on four little aeroplanes. On one of those particular trips, I actually said a prayer for what looked like beautiful clouds from far away, to get the heck out of our path because of the 'turbulence' it was causing our little plane..... I then spent the rest of the week wondering how lucky we were to be alive (probably wasn't even that bad!! ;-)) and to ponder the invention of the aeroplane and how grateful I am for the people that made them strong enough to carry me and keep me in the air.
What are my top five inventions that I am grateful for?
INVENTION ONE: The hair straightener.
And the hairdresser to go with it. How could I have ever forgotten the role of the hair straightener ;-) Thank you Mandy Smiler for introducing me to what could be the most important invention in my lifetime!!
INVENTION TWO: The flush toilet.
According to http://www.toptenz.net/ one of the top five inventions of all time is the flushing toilet - so I am not alone with this one. When I was asked once, what two things would I take to a deserted Island, the first was easy - a flushing toilet! Thank you Mr or Ms Plumber!
INVENTION THREE: Anaesthetic.
According to http://www.toptenz.net/, anaesthetic makes it into the top ten inventions of all time. It also makes it into my top five. I have had both local and general anaesthetic and all I can say is I would have never lived through any of the procedures/operations I had done without it! Thank you Mr or Ms Anaesthetic.
INVENTION FOUR: Air Conditioner
Although we are going into winter and my memory of sweating is diminishing, I can still recall many sweaty days and nights without a fan! So a working air conditioner is in my top five inventions of all time! Thank you Mr & Mrs Air Conditioner Inventors.
INVENTION FIVE: Technology
When I was at university the electric typewriter was a winner - however judging how long to leave 'white out' or 'twink' to dry before typing over a mistake was problematic. By the time I did my Masters we had a computer but still it had its limitations. Now I not only have a computer, but I have met and fallen into a relationship with email and the mobile phone - and could not imagine a life without them. Thank you Mr and Ms inventors!
So those are my top five, and as I am writing more have popped up. What are yours?
In friendship,
Mxox
What are my top five inventions that I am grateful for?
INVENTION ONE: The hair straightener.
And the hairdresser to go with it. How could I have ever forgotten the role of the hair straightener ;-) Thank you Mandy Smiler for introducing me to what could be the most important invention in my lifetime!!
INVENTION TWO: The flush toilet.
According to http://www.toptenz.net/ one of the top five inventions of all time is the flushing toilet - so I am not alone with this one. When I was asked once, what two things would I take to a deserted Island, the first was easy - a flushing toilet! Thank you Mr or Ms Plumber!
INVENTION THREE: Anaesthetic.
According to http://www.toptenz.net/, anaesthetic makes it into the top ten inventions of all time. It also makes it into my top five. I have had both local and general anaesthetic and all I can say is I would have never lived through any of the procedures/operations I had done without it! Thank you Mr or Ms Anaesthetic.
INVENTION FOUR: Air Conditioner
Although we are going into winter and my memory of sweating is diminishing, I can still recall many sweaty days and nights without a fan! So a working air conditioner is in my top five inventions of all time! Thank you Mr & Mrs Air Conditioner Inventors.
INVENTION FIVE: Technology
When I was at university the electric typewriter was a winner - however judging how long to leave 'white out' or 'twink' to dry before typing over a mistake was problematic. By the time I did my Masters we had a computer but still it had its limitations. Now I not only have a computer, but I have met and fallen into a relationship with email and the mobile phone - and could not imagine a life without them. Thank you Mr and Ms inventors!
So those are my top five, and as I am writing more have popped up. What are yours?
In friendship,
Mxox
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