Heavenly Spa

And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days..." Leviticus 16:19  For years this verse made me feel as if the Lord considered our natural cycles dirty.  But I praise Him, because although it may not be a deeply theological point, I do believe He opened my mind to a true one.

What happened in Israel when women were put apart for days together is probably the same as would happen today.  At first there would be the "getting to know you" phase where everyone would tell about themselves and their lives.  But after developing friendships things would change.  Conversations would become deeper, the topics would remain the same, but they would shift into "counseling" sessions; older women encouraging young ones.  Maidens listening with wonder at what life might bring to their futures. The women would minister to each other physically too.  If there were some with difficult symptoms the others would make hot poultices.  They would brew teas and deliver remedies.   They would give each other back rubs when they felt weak and offer facials when they felt better. Women put apart for seven days, would not only become friends, they would become sisters.

Eventually, someone might say, "You know this tent could use a little color, maybe a new rug!"  Then the women would begin "nesting" and the tent would become...beautiful.  It would morph into a place where women could rest, recuperate and be revitalized.  It would become... a spa.  The original concept behind the "women's day spa" came from God.

Why did the Lord call women to go to His spa monthly?  Because, with a tender and pitying heart He knows our trials and sees we are prone to weariness.  What a wonderful friend He is.  He created "legalized rest" for women.  Like Martha, ("But Martha was cumbered about much serving...: Luke 10:40),  we become absorbed in ministering to our families and others, but God intends that we routinely take time to come apart and visit His spa.  He wants to bathe us in His energizing presence and give us that peace that passes understanding.

Wanting Babies

God the Self-Sufficient-One needed children in His own likeness.

"And God said, Let us make man in our image after our likeness...So God created man in is own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them." (Genesis 1:26, 27)  In glorious perfection with the company of angels God wanted more.  His great heart longed for children that were like Him.  A race that could relate to Him like no other. This was His plan for us, that we should fill the void in His heart.

Loving couples can feel the same thing.  They are incited to create life out of love.  The desire for children can echo Rachel's cry, "Give me children lest I die."  (Genesis 30:1)  Like our Father, we instinctively desire children.  This is the first great proof that we are His own offspring for He too yearned for a child to love.

He Gently Leads Those With Young

"He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."  Isaiah 40:11

In my mind I picture the Lord, my Shepherd, carrying my children in His arms and me, the bleating ewe, following behind.  That mental picture tells the entire story of parenting according to God's method.  It tells the whole story of child evangelism.  It tells the whole story of witnessing to people young in Christ.  We the parent, evangelist, teacher, etc. following close after Christ as we trust Him to win the hearts of our children.  The focus for our lives is not to figure out how to parent better, rather it is to remain as close to God as we can while we entrust our children to His loving care.

In this blog I will share lessons God has been gracious enough to show me regarding my parenting, family and marriage.  There are many other lessons to be learned.  My hope is that you will be inspired to read your Bible looking for the gentle leading of our Shepherd as you parent your children.