During Pat’s funeral, the minister asked us to pray “The Lord’s Prayer.” I was sitting between my daughter Laura and cousin Debbie. Debbie and I dutifully recited, “Our Father, Who art in heaven…”

We all hesitated at the same spot, “Forgive us our…” Would he say trespasses or debts? He used the word “sins.”

I realized Laura was silent. Did she know “The Lord’s Prayer?” I tried to remember teaching it to her. Did I leave that part of her education up to the church?

I’m the world’s worst mother. Can I even call myself a Christian? (Every mother knows the guilt we pile on ourselves.)

After the service, I apologized for not teaching her “The Lord’s Prayer.” Her response?

“He used the wrong word.”

Genesis 27:20, “…Because your God cleared the way for me.” The Message

God does not have grandchildren. You cannot inherit faith. We have to meet God ourselves. That happened for Isaac in Beersheba, Genesis 26:24-25. It happened for Jacob the first night he was away from home, Genesis 28:10-20.

This does not mean we let our children stay home from church and decide as adults. We give them every opportunity to learn about Jesus and His great love.

Genesis 28:7, “And that Jacob had obeyed his parents…” The Message

Parenting isn’t about making life easy for our children. It’s about teaching them the skills they will need to stand on their own two feet. There are no guarantees in life. If they want to go to college, they will have to study and earn scholarships.

They may not meet their mate right after they graduate. They have to know how to cook a meal and mow the lawn.

I failed again. I don’t remember Laura mowing the lawn. And she was the first of our children to buy a house! (David remedied that.)

* * * * * * *

In Bible times, women worked around the tents and men in the fields. The lowest job was to be a shepherd. Even though Rachel had brothers, she took the lowest job.

Genesis 29:9, “…She was the shepherd.” The Message

October 9, 2019: Genesis 27-29.

“2019 Relevant Bible Reading Guide”

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