24And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
IF EVERYTHING WERE TO ALWAYS BE PEACEFUL there would be no need to have baseball or football or hockey. OR WRESTLING. Why does the bible include this story? Perhaps it is that we ALL have to do battle from time to time to become stronger.
AS A CHILD I LISTENED to my Grandpa recite and recall every baseball game he ever played or watched. I noted how the pride of the play and the recalling of it gave him strength and courage to survive.
AS AN ADULT I CONTINUE TO LISTEN to my husband tell others who are still struggling with blindness how he wrestled and overcame self-doubt and discouragement through sheer stubborness and determination to survive.
HAVE PRIDE TODAY IN YOUR OWN ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND TELL SOMEONE ELSE HOW PROUD YOU ARE OF THEIRS.
Be Blessed,
Mother Nanhi & Father Leslie.
