ALL DUG UP

Love … endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV)

      It had been one of those weeks, or so Randy thought. Earlier in the week his wife had called to say the basement was flooding from all the rain and now his wife had called to say unexpected company had dropped in and asked if he would stop and get some milk and eggs on his way home. And since his wife didn't want store bought milk or eggs it meant driving 10 miles out of the way to the McDonald's farm.

      “It's been one of those weeks.” Randy said to John when he pulled into the farm. “You can say that again.” John said in agreement, “In fact, I'll say it for you. It's been one of those weeks.” “You too?” Randy asked. “ I have seen some strange happenings before.” John replied, “But I think this one might take the cake.”

     “Well,” Randy said, “The flooding was pretty bad. “Flood?!” John said, “I was talking about the antics of one Harold Peterson.” “Harold?!” Randy said in return, “Your not talking about his story of Giant June Bugs are you? He was using that as an excuse not to plant his garden.” “Well,” John said quietly, “His mom finally talked him into planting it.”

     “That’s good.” Randy said, “It's about time he did something.” “Try telling that to the town's folks.” John declared, “Harold decided he would try and use my big tractor to till up his garden area.” “But his garden isn't that big.” Randy injected. “Try telling him that.” John continued, “He put the plow down and dug up his entire yard, in fact he dug up most of the neighborhood. And that’s not the worst of it.”

     Hearing that, Randy was afraid to ask what Harold did but he asked anyway. “What more did he do?” “He sliced through the phone cable, the TV cable and the main power cable to the town.” What happened when he hit the power cable?” Randy asked. “A sonic boom” John replied, “The town's power went out, Harold went flying through the air and the tractor, well, I don’t want to talk about it now.”

     “Wow” Randy said, “And I thought the power outage was from the storm. You're right, that does take the cake.” I don't know how his parents put up with him.” John said, “If my Tracy had behaved like that I think I would have buried her in a deep hole and left her there.” “You wouldn't” Randy gasped in shock. “No, not really,” John assured him, “Besides she’s a good girl who only messes up once in a while.”

     “Like the time she helped lose Muffy?” John said nodding his head. “She helped with that?” John said in surprise, “Well, at least she’s not like Harold. He’s always causing some sort of trouble. Even when he’s being good he puts people into shock.” “Well,” John commented, “You do have to admire Martha’s love for Harold. Well, I better be on my way.”

     With that, Randy got back in his car and headed for home, and yes it was one of those weeks for when John started telling him of his troubles, Randy forgot to get the milk and eggs. He did however, get a great sermon illustration.

      Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob." … Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him, "You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women. Arise, go to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel your mother's father, and take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother's brother. Genesis 27:41,28:1-2 (ESV)

     Things were looking pretty rough for Jacob. He'd stolen his brother's birthright and blessing, his brother wanted to kill him and now, of all things, he was being sent away to get married. But, could Jacob find someone he could truly love. Let's join Jacob at a well in a field...

      Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well's mouth was large, and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well. Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where do you come from?" They said, "We are from Haran." He said to them, "Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?" They said, "We know him." He said to them, "Is it well with him?" They said, "It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!" … Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel." Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me." So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed." So Laban gathered together all the people of the place and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her. And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?" Laban said, "It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years." Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.

Genesis 29:1-28 (ESV)

     Jacob makes a deal to work for Laban for 7 years to marry Rachel. He's tricked and ends up working 7 more years and all for Rachel His beautiful wife. Oh what Love endures. What are or would you put up with or do for loved ones? Do you endure?

• 1 Peter 2:19 - For God is pleased with you when, for the sake of your conscience, you patiently endure unfair treatment. (NLT)
• James 1:12 - God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (NLT)
• Matthew 10:22 - And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. But those who endure to the end will be saved. (NLT)

     Why would you bear sorrow, persevere under trials, endure hatred. Love motivates for God, love motivates for others.

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Are you willing to endure the trials brought by the ones you should love?
• Do you make it hard for others to endure in their love for you?