tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27936658.post1962547235691926418..comments2024-02-07T10:28:50.958-08:00Comments on Word Traveler: "Playing it Safe"davescrivenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14462058588564974007noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27936658.post-68133915851660368712007-01-11T21:33:00.000-08:002007-01-11T21:33:00.000-08:00Very touching and heartfelt explanation of the mid...Very touching and heartfelt explanation of the middle child syndrome. Thanks for sharing with such transparency. <br /><br />As far as the naming Esau thing, remind me about that at tomorrow's men's breakfast. <br /><br />Your Bro, <br />Davedavescrivenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14462058588564974007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27936658.post-8412748184616557042007-01-11T09:53:00.000-08:002007-01-11T09:53:00.000-08:00Thanks, Dave. I never made the connection between...Thanks, Dave. I never made the connection between those two events until you drew my attention to it today. one event is driven by jeleausy and the other by fear. But they both come to the same conclusion. <br /><br />Interesting that Abimilech made a peace treaty with Abraham and then again with Isaac. This was followed up with approximately 1000 years of fighting and fueding. Human beings: can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.<br /><br />My journal entry for Wednesday:<br /><br />"Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father. Then Esau wept aloud." <br /><br /> ----Genesis. ch 27, vs 38.<br /><br />Man, who of us can not identify with Esau on this one? All of us desperately seek the love and approval of our parents. And traditionally it is the father who either extends or witholds that blessing. John Eldridge points this out clearly in his book: Wild At Heart. <br /><br />As the father of three daughters, I am often reminded that I hold in my hands a powerful sword with which I can tap my daughters on the shoulders and bless them, or symbolically speaking, I can cut them to pieces. I can bless them or curse them and I find that responsibility almost frightening. <br /><br />A few months ago, I went in to say goodnight to daughter # 2. I sant down on her bed and we simply began to talk. Over the course of the next several minutes, something happened that turned out to be quite revolutionary in our relationship. You see, I had always assumed that daughter # 2 was preferenced to her mother. I assumed that she spent more time with my wife because she was more comfortable with her and because she and my wife had more in common. Then, a few minutes into our conversation, and without warning, my middle daughter began to cry. Then she blurted out: "Daddy, I don't feel like I get enough time with you." Beihg a middle child myself, I quiuckly began to understand what she was talking about. Although my oldest daughter does not now, nor will she ever receive my exclusive blessing, she is still the oldest and therefore the first to laugh, walk, talk and steal her daddy's heart. She never hurts for my attention.<br /><br />Child # 3 goes by the nickname: "Boomer" which is short for boomerang. Here's how it works. Child # 3 asks for a receives a hug. She then gets set down on the couch. Within 30 seconds she returns to me for hug # 2, which she receives before again being set down on the couch.(After all, daddy eventually has to go to work). The pattern will repeat itself almost without end. Just like a boomerang, my youngest child always finds her way back into my arms. <br /><br />With all that competition, it's easy for child # 2 to get lost in the shuffle. I was actually thankful for that evening. We bonded ina way that we never had before. I assured her that not only did I love her, but as a middle child myself, I was uniquely qualified to undersatnd what she was going through. Today I find more opportunities to seek her out and make a space for her on my lap. After all, unlike Isaac, I have more than one blessing to give. <br /><br /> -----CMM<br /><br />Dave, you never told me your thoughts about me naming my first born son after Esau.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com