The Happy Accidents: when a night of mistakes can turn your life around

The Happy Accidents by Jamie Beck is a story of friendship, love and finding fulfillment in the most unusual way. All Jessie Clarke wanted was a wild adventure to celebrate her upcoming 37th birthday. Her sister, Lizzie, and their friend, Chloe, agree to the birthday pact for one wild night. What a wild night it was! The next morning, they wake up to shocking consequences. A viral video throws Liz’s career in broadcast news and reputation into a downward spiral. Chloe loses at the craps table that threatens her seemingly solid marriage. She realizes that she wants something more. Jessie is desperate to unlock her artistic muse which leaves her with lift-changing choices. Each woman is at a crossroads, the choice they must make will test everything they know and love. Will their misadventure be a curse or a blessing in disguise? 

What could go wrong with a girls night out right? A lot as Jessie, Liz and Chloe find out. The story started off rough as I wasn’t sure if I cared for or could relate to any of these women. But I stuck with it and by the end, I could appreciate their growth even though I could not relate to them. I enjoyed seeing the growth in the supporting characters as well. More often than not, the consequences of our choices affect those around us as well as ourselves. It was refreshing to see that Jessie, Liz and Chloe not only changed for the better but also those in their inner circle, even resulting in closer relationships than before. Overall, I enjoyed following the aftermath of their misadventures and see them better for it. I recommend The Happy Accidents

The Happy Accidents is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Leah: unloved by man, loved by God

As we learned in last month’s study on Rachel, Rachel wanted a child as Leah had and she did all she could to achieve it. We see in Leah’s story, Leah wanted Jacob’s love as Rachel had and she did everything she could receive it. Through her story, we see the marriage customs of the time as well as lessons about love, beauty and seeing what God sees. Even though she was insignificant in Jacob’s eyes, she was particularly important to the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel and to us. With her story, we learn that no one is insignificant in God’s eyes.

Capable of both strong and enduring love, Leah was a faithful wife and mother. She was manipulated by her father; she became jealous of her sister. With each child, the unhappy Leah hoped to gain her husband’s affection and each time her disappointed grew. Maybe Jacob resented Leah for her part in Laban’s deception, although she hardly had the power to refuse. She had known heartache. Her only daughter, Dinah, was raped by a local prince when they returned to their homeland (Genesis 34:2) and her sons, Levi and Simeon, avenged their sister by murdering the men in an entire village (Genesis 34:25). Her son, Reuben would disgrace himself by sleeping with his father’s concubine, Bilhah (Genesis 35:22). It wasn’t all bad for Leah. The promise of a Savior was carried, not through one of Rachel’s sons, but through Leah’s son, Judah, whose descendants were including David, Israel’s great king and Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. With her son, Levi, the priestly line would be established. The story of these two sisters remind us that life is fraught with sorrow and peril, much of it caused by sin and selfishness.

Marriage customs in ancient biblical times are quite different than our current customs. Marrying for love is a modern requirement, tracing back to the Romantic Era (approximately 1800-1890). Most marriages occurred for money or politics and alliances. It was also frowned upon that a younger sister marry before an older sister. A bride and groom are usually young, about 12 and 13, and the union is arranged by their parents with the couples’ consent is rarely requested or required. The ceremony itself is usually short but the festivities would go on for days. The groom would dress in colorful clothing and sets our for the bride’s parents’ home, accompanied by his friends, attendants, and musicians. The bride awaits, having been washed, perfumed, and dressed in an elaborate dress and jewels. The bride and groom then would lead a procession through the village with music and torchbearers to the groom’s parents’ home. Once there, the feasting and celebration would begin and last for several days.

There are a few lessons we can learned from Leah’s story. First, what God considers beauty is far different than what we would call beauty. Leah She is described to have “weak eyes” (Genesis 29:17), obviously wasn’t very pretty as Rachel. People will often judge others by outward appearances, but God always sees and judges ones’ heart. In Max Lucado’s book, In the Eye of the Storm (1991) in which he talks about holiness in a bathrobe. We are at our holiness with that first look in the mirror in the morning and what makes it holy is its honesty. We see what God sees and loves. No makeup, no jewelry, no fancy clothes, just us. Second, jealousy often blinds us to God’s blessings. While Leah was focused on her jealousy of Jacob’s love for Rachel, she ignored the blessings that God had given her, that he didn’t give to Rachel: six sons. Third, the same God who saw Leah’s misery and sorrow, sees ours. No mater how small or large, God knows our circumstances, our feelings, and hurts. He is moved by our sorrow and he is willing and able to step in and create something in and through us.

In conclusion, Leah was a woman who longed for the love of a man who probably couldn’t or wouldn’t give it. She wanted the devotion her younger sister got and when she didn’t, she turned to jealousy. But through Leah’s sons, two powerful tribes of Israel would be created. While we view marriage today as an act of love, marriage in the ancient world had strategic planning. Even if we don’t know it, think it or possibly believe it, God sees us. He sees our tears. He is moved by our sorrows and he will work in our lives in ways we couldn’t possibly fathom.

First and Second Chronicles: the power of prayer

First and Second Chronicles are a brief retelling of the events which occur in 1 and 2 Kings. First Chronicles serves as a commentary on the events of 2 Samuel and emphasizes the religious history of Judah and Israel. Second Chronicles serves as the commentary for 1 and 2 Kings and highlights the importance of the temple and the religious revivals in Judah while the kingdom of Israel in ignored. As I read through these books, one thing stood out: prayer. In particular three prayers which are examples of how God can work in our lives if we ask him. With an honorable man named Jabez, we see the power of a simple prayer. With King David, we see a formula in which to pray. With King Asa, we see asking for the impossible in prayer can allow it to become possible.

Jabez is a man who is remembered for a simple prayer with a big impact. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.” By asking God to bless him, Jabez was acknowledging God as the true center of his life and his work. When we pray for God’s blessings, as Jabez did, we need to pray that He take his rightful place as Lord of our homes, our workplace and our lives. The protection Jabez was asking for wasn’t just from the outside world which is full of evil and pain but also internally. The evil and pain which starts from within us in our motives, desires, thoughts and actions. This simple prayer is an example of what can happen when we recognize that God provides all. He provides the means for success, protection from harm and guidance in our lives. If we just ask him to.

David was known as a man of prayer. His prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:10-19 is an example of how we can pray. First, he opens his prayer with praise. In verse 10, he says, “Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.” Second, he recognizes God’s power and glory. He recognizes the God is powerful, majestic and splendor (verse 11). He acknowledges that everything comes from the Lord from their wealth to their honor (verse 12). Third, he prays for the people. In verse 18, David prays that God would “keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever” and “keep their hearts loyal” to Him. He also prays for his son, Solomon, the next king of Israel in verse 19, “And give my son, Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees.”  Wholehearted devotion is complete dedication to God. To serve God above all else. David’s prayer follows a simple formula: praise to God, recognize God’s power, and make our requests. When we praise God and recognize his power before we make our request, we acknowledge that God has the authority to grant our requests and everything we have comes from him.

Asa was a king up against the Cushite army. Knowing that his army had no chance against this army without the power of God, he calls out to Him. His prayer in 2 Chronicles 14:11 says, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, in your name, we have come against this vast army. O Lord, you are our God, do not let man prevail against you.” The Lord provided the victory (verse 12). Asa uses a similar formula as King David. He praised God and acknowledged His power. Then he made his request. King Asa is an example of when facing battles that seem impossible, don’t give up. To paraphrase a common saying, when the going gets tough, the tough get praying. Asa knew he could not do it on his own. He need the power and glory of God behind every swing of his army’s swords. The secret of victory is first to admit the futility of unaided human effort and to trust God to do the rest. God’s power works best though those who recognize their limitations. It is those who think they are able do anything without God are the ones in the greatest danger.

In conclusion, it may seem too simple, prayer. Just ask and you can receive. However, prayer is the most powerful tool a believer has. Prayer is a direct connection to God. When we pray, we have the ear of the Creator of Heaven and Earth. We have the attention of the Father of Lights. When we pray, we have the power to do the impossible. Jabez asked for God’s blessings and protection in his life. And he received it. David asked for hearts of Israel to remain with God forever and that his son would be completely dedicated to serving Him. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen quite like that. Asa asked for God’s help with an unbeatable enemy and he got it. You may say, wait a minute. Two prayers were answered and one wasn’t. Well, that’s another post for another day. The point is all three men humbled themselves before the Lord and made their requests. They knew that only God had the power to fulfill their request and they left it all in God’s hands. Imagine what we could do we did the same.