In our family devotions we have now completed the book of John and we had such a good study and talked about many little nuggets we found in there.....now we have jumped over to read the story of Esther and wow! what a good time we are having.

Just thought I would share a few of the things the girls and I have been discussing.....

v.9 ..."And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him;.........and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women" with this verse we discussed the difference between Esther and the other virgins that had been brought. Of course I used some liberties in shewing them that Esther being a Jew and loving the Lord probably was a lot different from the others.....she dressed differently, talked differently probably was not spoiled, loud and demanding and because of this she obviously stood out apart from the others...she was noticed by the keeper and was given the best place in the house!!!! what an encouragement to me personally to keep on (at least keep trying) to live...to talk...to dress according to God's plan for me...not try to fit in with everybody else around me. I believe this is a struggle maybe that is harder for girls than for boys??? but with 6 girls in the house this comes up on a daily basis :)

v. 10..." Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it." This verse stood out because their Junior church verse this week is "Honour your father and your mother..." so we stopped to talk about Esther's position and obedience here for a bit....especially focusing on "obeying" while you live with your parents in their house and "honouring" them as you grow older and may or may not be living with them but are more responsible for your own decisions. We had some good heart to heart! what a blessing little girls are!

Today we were working on the rest of chapter 2...and the Lord shewed us a few more little nuggets to support our previous discussions.
v.15...."Now when the turn of Esther........was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing....And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her." This was a great verse to talk about all the things the other girls might have asked for in preperation for meeting with the king but that Esther asked for nothing...she was simple, moderate and humble and as a result she was not overlooked or made fun of BUT she obtained favor from all!!! What an encouragement to be different and to be little girls for the Lord!

Finally in v. 20..."for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai like as when she was brought up with him." Again a verse that supports our memory work verse this week....Esther was queen and yet she still honoured her parent Mordecai just as if she lived under his roof still!!! Especially the girls who are growing up..we have had some very good talks and I pray the Lord will guide and direct in our lives and give me the wisdom as I train them and that above all I would obtain their hearts!