The First Day of School was History.

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Monday - was the first day of (pre)school for Caleb.  Wow! 

Doesn't he look so handsome?

The "wave-off"!

Getting his backpack back on for the walk into school...

down the hallway...

...that little jaw set with much mixed anticipation.

***

With a trembling lip it was me, mama, who turned the corner, fighting back a tear or two, only to walk back up the hallway and head back home, but to return in a mere two and a half hours later to pick him back up. 

The First Day of School was History.

And he loved every minute of it.

Ahh, life sure has a way of growing us (all) up, doesn't it?

Showing Partiality

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I just got home from a MOPS ladies Bible Study... not too long ago.

We were discussing the story of Rebekah, her husband, Isaac and their twin sons, Jacob (younger son) and Esau (older son).

I don't know if your fully familiar with the story found in Genesis, but there is a lot to learn from the lives of these two biblical characters - particularly Rebekah.

One thing that struck me was the love story between Rebekah and Isaac - only to have their marriage slowly take drift as they began to live out their years with their twin sons caught in the middle.

Partiality (showing favoritism) was rapidly taking over...

Isaac loved Esau.

Rebekah loved Jacob.

James 2:9 says, "If you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors."

: : What about if personalities click easier with one child over another?  What if one is more compliant then the other?  etc. 

Do you struggle in playing favorites with your kids?

What if God promised blessing to the younger rather then the older and you knew that?  That's what went down in Rebekah's story.  The problem was that she felt she needed to help God out with "His Plan".

Henceforth, came the deception, the cunning trickery, and ultimately the pain of separation and a continuation of partiality shown on into future generations, as we know of Jacob and his future father-in-law and two wives.

What we reap, we will sow.

: : Have you ever found yourself on the giving or the receiving end of partiality?   How has that impacted you or changed you? 

What's that on your face?

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An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. ~ Proverbs 12:25

~ A Bowl of Magic Fruit Cereal ~

From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.  ~ Proverbs 18:20-21

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Recently, I was driving around, one afternoon, when I heard the radio persona ask; "What's that on your face?" Not fully paying attention to who he was speaking to or what he was speaking about, in asking that, the question completely caught me off guard.  Off guard enough to think a bit deeper about this... I know, you're thinking, here we go again.  Bevy's thinking "deep"... look out!

But.

Think about it with me.  Please?

If people were to come up to you on a regular basis and ask "What's that on your face?" - hopefully you wouldn't think a dribble of milk and colorful magic fruit off the far corner of your mouth.   Hopefully, you'll think more along the lines of big globs of sweet golden honey.  Seriously...stick with me...

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. ~ Proverbs 16:24

You see, when we, as beloved children of God, his redeemed and chosen people (and I'm speaking to the choir here) walk around with a countenance (both face and body) that is full of "anxiety" (which, trust me, I know, it can be legitimate), a look of sorrow,  or gloom, or as though we're just plain ..."bummed out"...then, we're only blending in - to the oncoming crowd.

What are we saying when we walk around like that?

Hasn't the Lord given our life some meaning?  Isn't it enough to shout it out - LOUDly?  Can't we keep from singing?  At best... wear a S M I L E.  It will, more times then not, make people curious as to why we're smiling.  If they ask, we are to do what?

"...be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness..." ~ I Peter 3:15 (KJV)

We've got a glimpse of HOPE all over our faces... that's what's there!!!! Amen??  And hopefully it's a gleaming glimpse.  A bright spot.  A look that is full of vivid color, enticing to the wondrous filling deep inside of us.  And, with that, come words spilling forth that are full of blessing, encouragement and peace-filled.

A bowlful of (Words) of HOPE!!   Come on, spill it... spew it... there really is no reason to cry over spilled milk.  At least in this case.