Seth - Who?

He was Adam and Eve's other son. After the "fight" with Cain and Abel, Eve bore another son. You might be thinking, "Seth, what did he do?"

It was the story of his brothers that is taught to our children at a very early age.

But Seth...Seth who?

There are two memorable things about the story of Seth. The Bible tells us that after Seth was born, people began to call on the Lord. The neatest thing about Seth is that it is through his seed that Jesus is born--not his other brothers.

So what does this tell me about my children? People--teachers, parents and friends--sometimes give the gifted or the problem child more attention. If the child is no problem, if the child is just ordinary, he can be neglected or ignored.

But big things come from the child that is just ordinary.

Children may not have a behavior problem. They may not be gifted. But they are children. We may not see their name in the paper. They may not be the greatest athlete. They may be quiet. They may be the last one picked for the team. They may sit on the back row. But they still need a front place in our hearts.

Their minds can be shaped. They can make a difference.

Just look at Seth-God had a purpose for him.

Back to School

It's that time again. Time for back packs, composition books and two-pocket folders. For parents it's a time for fear and that sense of not being able to protect our children from the dangers lurking.

In celebration of back to school and as an encouragement I will be studying children in the Bible gaining insight and inspiration from their lives.

JOSEPH

Joseph is one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament. Here was a boy hated by his brothers, sold and taken to another place having no contact with his family. For all practical purposes he had no family.

But that didn't stop him. He made something of himself.

The story doesn't end there. Because of the lies of others he was put in prison. You know the story.

Why does the story of Joseph mean so much to me?

Here was a misfit that was "victimized" who rose above his misfortunes. He couldn't change his past. But he could change his future. It didn't just happen. Joseph had patience. Joseph had determination. What Joseph didn't have was hate in his heart. It would have been so easy to want revenge.

I want my children to rise above the disappointments and failures. I want them to gain strength and wisdom from the events in their lives. I want them to have patience and determination. I want them to have love in their hearts and not hate. I don't want them to want revenge.

Yes, reading and writing are important. But along with that too heavy back pack I pray that they will carry these traits with them as they face whatever is in front of them.

I pray that they remember that Joseph overcame many obstacles and that they can, too.

I pray that they remember that they carry their mom's love and the unmeasurable love of our God.

Next time - Seth