Life at Oak Grove

Yesterday I read Judges 3:12-30 and came upon something interesting.   You know that you're into something when you never realized this was written in the Bible.   You probably know the story on how Ehud killed King Eglon of Moab.   What I never realized was that in verse 15 it says:

" His name was Ehud son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was left-handed."

Uh? What is the big deal of specifying that Ehud was left-handed?   So I pondered on this... since yesterday.   This morning, I came to the conclusion that more than likely being left-handed didn't help Ehud to carry a sword.  Maybe he wasn't as quick as his friends to fight...  

So I took my NLT Bible this morning and wanted to see if there was comments about this mention.   There was.   So here it goes...

"God can uses us just the way he made us.  Being left-handed in Ehud's day was considered a handicap.  Many Benjaminites were left-handed (see 20:16).  But God used Ehud's perceived weakness to give Israel victory.   Let God use you the way you are to accomplish his work."

In my NIV notes I can read that being left-handed Ehud could conceal his dagger on the side where it was not expected (v 21) which was his right thigh.  In my NIV Archeological Bible, it is mentioned that Left-handedness was common in the tribe of Benjamin (1 Ch 12:2) as I mentioned before.  However, it also indicates that it may have been artificially induced by binding the right arms of young boys to produce superior warriors.

I can see conflicting information here.   One says it produced superior warrior while another says it was considered an handicap.    Maybe it was considered an handicap by outsiders from the Israelites...

I recently got prophesied on.   First time for anything right?   The person told me that God made me the way I was for a reason and that right now I might not see it but in the future I will.   There is also some specific things in me that I don't even know that are there and that I will realize that God had a purpose in putting them there in time.

Where am I going?   When you think that God is not using you - don't believe it...  That's a lie.   God is always using us even if we don't realize it.  People see how we are and how we react to events in our life.   Our own kids observe us and they are like a sponge.    Be like a beacon of light for the LORD for anyone you cross in your days.    A few years ago, I went to the park with the kids.  Back then I had Alexandre and maybe Dominic as a baby.   Anyhow, I start talking to a lady at the park and out of the blue, she tells me that her husband is cheating on her and so on.   I was taken by surprised.   Why me?  But then I realize that as a child (well make it more like a young adult) I went through my parent's divorce.   Funny enough, hubby had bought me a book from Dr. Dobson Love Must Be Tough just to understand my parents.   And I had taken TONS of notes in the book about my parents and me and so on...   So I told her about the book and offered it to her.    I also prayed outloud for her in the park.   The next day I brought the book for her...   Weird.   I never saw her again.   I heard from her once - she told me she was enjoying the book.   Her situation was not easy as that other woman was also going to her church and was also married.   I pray and hope that God healed her marriage but I don't know.  

Another time, He used me on a grand-mother walking with her grand-baby.    Her daughter-in-law had a big case of post-partum.   I had experience it a little bit... but not to the point to be hospitalized (which was the case here).   So I prayed for her and told her about our church back then...   She seemed interested in telling the information to her son and daughter-in-law.

My point is that you never know when God will use you.  Be prepare even if you are left-handed.

And by the way - I am left-handed.

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13.   Check it out what it says!

... well usually it's not that busy but this past week-end we had something on Saturday and on Sunday.

SATURDAY

Homeschool conference in my area.   My in-laws looked after the kids while hubby and I went to the conference.   It was a one-day thing this year and I was a bit disappointed with the reduced numbers of vendors this year.   Sad.   On the other hand I went to great sessions and we got all the curriculum I had on my list.   We are officially ready for grade 3 and Senior Kindergarten with a bit of Junior Kindergarten.   I was surprised to see some products from Memoria Press there as well as Artistic Pursuits.   Interesting.   I had comments from people telling me they look forward to my reviews in the Newsletters and one lady said she is seriously thinking to ge tthe Spears Art Studio for her daughter who loves to draw.   Super!  I told her again that it was totally worth it.    I also won a price foro being there but by the time my name got out - there wasn't much left so I got 2 subs from Subway for free and we had free supper... *grin* I also made contact with NECTAR Foundation and got some free software to reviews from them.   And the guy also gave me a little bag with pink lemonade as a thanks for reviewing the products.    I got 4 CDs in French from him and I also have a bunch in English to look into as well.   So it was productive.   Hubby also made contact with the rep from HSLDA - they talked a lot and connected well I think.   Interesting.

Sunday - We packed the kids and drove to Montreal to visit my mom.   It went well I think.   I shall see how it goes in the weeks to come.   My poor Alexandre asked us when we will see her again and if it will take 1 year.  He is at the age of understanding more.   I told him it wasn't my decision and we will go with what happens.   He was crying.  He is my big softy child - very attached to people.  Dominic though asked my mom when she will die, hubby told him we don't know when we die and asked him who decides this.  He said Jesus.   Sweet.   At 5 he already have a great thinking.    We went to the Biodome during the afternoon.   Being a while since we went.   We got a family membership and can go as often as we want during the year with free entrance to the Botanical Gardens in June and free entrance to the Planetarium in November.   We came back at 9pm.   Tired.  Hopefully it doesn't take too long to get back in our routine.

Today - we have a visit to the dentist.  Five of us...   Only Jasmine is spared from it...

Well... we were supposed to go down visit my mom but hubby is sick - real bad... and he doesn't sleep that well so we postponed the trip.   Myoldest was quite upset by the wait but it's for the better.   Hubby is miserable believe me!    He took a nap yesterday and again today.   He took care of me so well when I was down with sinusitis and vertigo... I feel real bad that I woke him up yesterday.   I could have just drive to his parents for Easter supper and not wake him up.  Leave him a note so he could join us later.   But no I was just selfish and woke him up at 3:35pm.   Geez what's wrong with me?  Stressed.   Definetively.  

On another matter - did you ever realized the stressed upside down is spelled desserts.   No I will not give in to desserts.   I'm trying to loose weight.  If I do eat - I'll count my points I promise...

... literally.   I called mom last night and asked if we could come.   The conversation was okay in itself with the usual comments but she agreed for us to come down on Monday.  Which is a miracle in itself since she refused to let us come since over a year now...  I don't want to go in details about it.  I'm just glad we can go - know what I mean?

Anyhow, having said that, hubby said last night that maybe we won't be able to go.  NO!   Hubby has been sick with sinusitis since a week.  He is now on medications but he wonders if he will feel better before Monday.  Sure hope so.  And baby Jasmine has a runny nose now.   Mind you, they probably got it from me because 2 weeks ago I have sinusitis and vertigo because the infection went into my inner ear.   Not fun believe me...  I'm just glad that the sinusitis is gone.  The vertigo is mostly gone... sometimes I feel it again but most days it's gone.   I don't wish that to anyone.   It is the worst feeling in the world I think - especially when it last a few days.  Yack!

Anyhow, if you happen to read this, please pray for my sick loved ones and for the visit.   Thanks.