"Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse," Matt. 1:5-6a

Within two verses of the genealogical record of Jesus Christ the son of David, Matthew makes mention of three women. The only other woman included as an ancestor of Jesus besides his mother Mary is Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Jacob, who deceived him and became pregnant by him. Rahab was a prostitute. Ruth was a foreigner. Solomon's mother, though not mentioned by name, is Bathsheba who committed adultery with King David.

By our standards the only one of these women we would consider respectable was Ruth and she would have been considered an unclean pagan by the Israelites. I marvel at our Father for including these women in the genealogy of Jesus. Surely his bloodline should reflect only the best, or at the very least it should be whitewashed for the sake of Jesus' unblemished pedigree.
While it does add dignity to women to be included in Jesus' genealogical records at all, it would have been much more gratifying if the women were more respectable. What are we to conclude from this? Why these women? Why include them?

The faith chapter of the Bible lists only great heroes of the faith: "by faith Noah," "by faith Abraham...Isaac...Jacob...Joseph...Moses" Then incredibly, "by faith the prostitute Rahab" (Hebrews 11:31). She is listed right up there with the biggies for saving the Israelite spies!

After all is discovered about Tamar's actions, Judah whom God renamed Israel said of her, "she is more righteous than I" (Genesis 38:26).

Ruth's story is included in the Old Testament. She has a book named after her because of her loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law. Maybe Boaz was willing to marry a foreigner because his mother Rahab was also a foreigner. (I wonder how Ruth got along with her new mother-in-law.)

Bathsheba's son Solomon was the wisest and richest of all the Kings of Israel. He bowed down to her and had a throne brought in so she could sit at his right hand.

Once again, we see that God judges differently than we do. His approval is not based on propriety but on righteousness and faith in Him. Nothing is whitewashed except through his forgiveness where sins are washed whiter than snow. While we tend to have a long memory where people's sins are concerned, God remembers their sins no more. And it isn't our judgment that matters in the end; it is God's. In God's judgment, all of these women turn out to be people of righteousness, faith and courage. Would that I would be so distinguished!

Lord, give us eyes to see people as you do.

"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing," 2 Corinthians 2:15.


Whenever he had down time, Mike was in our room on the 5th floor of the hospital. He was a kind and helpful nursing assistant in addition to being warm, funny and charming. We loved for him to come and help relieve the monotony of our days.


We could tell he liked visitng our room, too. Our daughters and their husbands are about his age, and of course they are fun and interesting people. He told us we were the only people on the floor who weren't in extreme pain or extremely crazy. But I think it was more than that. Maybe he saw that we were a loving, caring family since I stayed with my daughter most of her six days there, and the rest of the family were there a lot too. Visitors from the church came and stayed and cared and prayed with her. I'm sure he saw some of that as well. After Charis got better, we laughed a lot, and Mike and the nurse commented that we were the quietest room--meaning the room that needed the least attention.


The last day before Charis was discharged, Mike's shift ended and he came to say goodbye. He stayed well after his shift ended because we began talking about our daughters' church and how he should attend so we can see him again. A good friend had also been trying to get him to attend the church down the street. I told him I would be praying for him and not to be surprised if God really begins convicting him of his need for Him.


Maybe Mike was just bored. But I believe he detected in us the "aroma of Christ" and was irresistably drawn to the fragrance that was wafting out our door. All praise to our precious Savior!


Dear Father, we know your greatest longing is for Mike to be your child. In the name of Jesus, we ask that you bind Satan in his life and draw him with cords of kindness to You instead. Please bring around him the people and circumstances that will melt his heart of stone and allow his heart to be molded in your image. Amen.

"Each day he carries us in his arms" ~~Psalm 68

American Airlines has texted me several times today: the flight is on time; this is your gate; the flight has arrived (believe it or not); your baggage is here.

I was supposed to fly to Miami today and then on to Haiti tomorrow. But that didn't happen. I hurt my knee...really badly...torn meniscus (I learned to spell this yesterday) and torn ACL.

I was so sure God wanted me in Haiti for a month. I wanted to help even though I knew it would be a huge challenge for me. So now I begin to question myself: Is it because I did not say, "Lord willing"? Was it really all about pride?--a question I have to ask myself regularly. In other words, is this my fault? Or is God sparing me? Saving me from something? Needing me more somewhere else?

Or maybe it was because as I was in Bible study Tuesday night, I recommitted myself to "whatever it takes to draw closer to thee, Lord. That's what I'll be willing to do." More than that, "Whatever it takes for my will to break, that's what I'll be willing to do." Lanny Wolfe's song challenges me, and every so often I check to see if I am up to the challenge.

The first time I did this, I learned the next day that my daughter was being sexually abused. At other times, other challenges have arisen. Sometimes, nothing happens. This time within 24 hours, my knee was busted and my summer plans were rearranged.

What is God up to? What's going on?

I only know as I think about this situation that I am confident in God. He continues to have a plan for my life and he continues to lead me day by day. This is the adventure. I am his child and I just hold on to his hand. And sometimes he carries me in his arms. Incredibly, I like those times more and more, when he carries me close to his heart. I think I'll keep singing, "whatever it takes...."