B90 Day 1 Kick off

(How exciting was that title, by the way!?)

Last night, after a very late night for our boys (it doesn't get dark here until at least 9:30 and even then, the sky was still fairly bright), I fell asleep with SWK (after midnight). I forget how narrow a twin bed is! He crashed on his bike yesterday (there was a dog, a rock, and another boy involved, but only SWK reaped the "rewards.") All is fine, but we continue our tradition of some sort of major/minor scrapes/bumps/broken body parts/etc. for the 4th of July. He left some skin from his elbow on the gravel on the road, but otherwise, he's just very sore and will probably have a nice scar on his chin.

All that to say, that when I woke up this morning, I was a wee bit tired. I wanted to just make my way to the coffee pot and the computer, as is my morning custom, but I know how important it is to do my Bible reading first thing; otherwise, it just "sorta" gets squeezed out. So, while SWK lost brain cells playing a video game (everyone else is still dead to the world), I did my reading for the day, Genesis 1-16:16. This time I have in mind to make notes (itty-bitty ones) of two phrases or words: "For my namesake" referencing the Lord, of course; and "orphans/aliens." I know what God's heart is regarding them, but I want to keep track of the many times it is mentioned throughout Scripture.

Of course, there are many things that I took note of today, (not relating to the above) but here is one thing I wanted to share. In 15:1, after Abram had encountered the kings and given his tithe to Melchizedek, the Lord told him, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." In the footnotes, it mentions that the verse could also be rendered, "Your reward will be very great." I think that those are one and the same. If the Lord is all the reward that we ever receive, how much greater could it be? He is all that we need and all that we could ever hope for.

In verse 15:6, "Abram believed the Lord, and he (God) credited it to him as righteousness." That's where I fail sometimes: believing God. That is the root of my problem; I don't truly believe Him. How else can I explain my unfaithfulness? If I truly believe Him, won't I rush to spend time with Him every day? Won't I open my arms to the poor and needy? Won't I disciple my children and others the way I've been commanded? Won't I trust that He has my good and His glory in mind for all things? Of course, I say that I trust Him, that I believe Him, but my actions show otherwise. Help me, Lord, in my unbelief!

Check in with Amy at Mom's Toolbox to see how others are doing and learning from our Great Reward. We are just starting today, so it's definitely not too late to join us!