Seven Short Years

How different his [Jacob’s] arrival from that of Abraham’s messenger nearly a hundred years before! The servant had come with a train of attendants riding upon camels, and with rich gifts of gold and silver; the son was a lonely, footsore traveler, with no possession save his staff. Like Abraham’s servant, Jacob tarried beside a well, and it was here that he met Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter…. Though he came portionless and unattended, a few weeks showed the worth of his diligence and skill, and he was urged to tarry. It was arranged that he should render Laban seven years’ service for the hand of Rachel.

In early times custom required the bridegroom, before the ratification of a marriage engagement, to pay a sum of money or its equivalent in other property, according to his circumstances, to the father of his wife. This was regarded as a safeguard to the marriage relation…. But provision was made to test those who had nothing to pay for a wife. They were permitted to labor for the father whose daughter they loved, the length of time being regulated by the value of the dowry required. When the suitor was faithful in his services, and proved in other respects worthy, he obtained the daughter as his wife; and generally the dowry which the father had received was given her at her marriage….

The ancient custom, though sometimes abused, as by Laban, was productive of good results. When the suitor was required to render service to secure his bride, a hasty marriage was prevented, and there was opportunity to test the depth of his affections, as well as his ability to provide for a family. In our time many evils result from pursuing an opposite course. It is often the case that persons before marriage have little opportunity to become acquainted with each other’s habits and disposition, and, so far as everyday life is concerned, they are virtually strangers when they unite their interests at the altar. Many find, too late, that they are not adapted to each other, and lifelong wretchedness is the result of their union.1Patriarchs and Prophets, 188, 189.
Conflict and Courage p. 66
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for E as she has a very important decision to make. R
—-Pray with me about our bible study/personal ministries in church. We need better planning and some people to become passionate about the need to outreach to those in our community. Jennifer
—-Maya has had a really good day today! Don’t get me wrong, she is still struggling…the mucus is thick and the cough is exhausting. She’s been getting bloody noses from all the suctioning we’ve had to do to keep her airways clear. BUT, she has no more fever, her O2 is staying at a decent percentage, and she’s got quite a bit of energy back (only needed one nap today!).
We are still doing respiratory cares around the clock…every 4 hours. That means she gets albuterol inhaler, sodium chloride nebulizer, chest percussion therapy (she calls it the shakey machine), and cough assist, along with loads of suctioning. Likely that we will need to continue this for another few weeks. Maya is at a very increased risk of developing pneumonia with any illness, but the risk is even greater with RSV.
Tomorrow, the family will head half way across the state for a specialized doctors visit (physical med and rehab, who deals with all things growth, Cerebral Palsy, and musculature) on Friday. Next week she also sees her pulmonologist (lung doctor). Let’s keep praying she gets better and better by the day! Jenny
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Dear Friends,

Today, I was remembering an embarrassing moment I had when I was working at the courthouse many years ago. I had been getting about six hours of sleep a night for months and it began to catch up on me. No one was in the outer office where I was working (which was unusual in itself) and as I was typing on the computer, I fell asleep. I don’t know how long I was in dreamland, but I suddenly woke up to a knock on the doorframe. Instantly, I looked up and saw the man who sprayed for bugs monthly standing in the doorway. I could tell he had seen me sleeping, because he never knocked: he normally just walked on through with his bug sprayer.

Jesus told a story of some people whose sleeping when they should have been wake had far greater consequences than a little embarrassment. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matt 25:1-13

How many will weep and wail when they see Jesus coming because they spiritually slept. They will then declare, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20 They will cry for the rocks and the mountains to hide them from Jesus’ face just as surely as those who did not believe in Him. (Rev 6:15-17) May we, as did the wise virgins, keep our lamps brightly burning earnestly holding fast to the truth while we await the appearing of the Bridegroom and with rejoicing say, “this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa 25:9

Rose