Genesis 26: Parents

The Wells of Perseverance

Genesis 26:18-19
"Isaac reopened the wells his father had dug, which the Philistines had filled in after Abraham's death. Isaac also restored the names Abraham had given them. Isaac’s servants also dug in the Gerar Valley and discovered a well of fresh water."

Do you remember those shoes with wheels tucked into the sole, that could pop out and become skates? I think they were called "Heelys". I remember my son getting a pair, and he was greatly disappointed when he couldn't use them as proficiently as the actors in the commercials. It took countless trips back and forth in our kitchen (hanging on to my arm) for him to finally get the hang of it. Because he persevered through practice, he became a pro on those things! His stick-to-it-iveness mirrored Isaac's determination in Genesis 26.

Isaac, faced with filled wells his father Abraham had painstakingly dug, could have surrendered to defeat. But he chose perseverance, re-digging those wells, reclaiming the past, and striking fresh water once again. Just as your child relentlessly practices something only to fail time and time again, so too, Isaac faced setbacks.

This biblical narrative presents an opportunity to teach perseverance and determination to your children. Life may sometimes feel like a series of filled wells, where efforts seem lost and the thirst unquenched. Yet, just as Isaac kept digging, we must also encourage our children to keep trying, despite the setbacks.

So, next time your child's face falls as they trip on their own heels, remind them of Isaac. God honors persistence. Teach them to push beyond the disappointments to where their 'well of fresh water' lies. This way, they learn that God's blessings often require a journey, one marked by faith and relentless determination.