"Now will I praise the Lord" Genesis 29:35(d)
Parents have great roles to play in the lives of their children. No exaggeration in saying that this roles begin from the time they prepare to have a baby. This is because every circumstance that envelopes the baby's conception will directly affect the coming child except certain steps are taken during and /or after conception and birth. This steps include praying for the child.

Not only this, during pregnancy, parents can begin to influence a child in the womb. What you think, say or do, including what you eat directly affect the child and may possibly affect his pattern of living. So, you can examine your thoughts, utterances and what you do during your pregnancy.

It does not end there, you can influence your child and his destiny at birth.

Take note that this influence may be positive or negative. Therefore, watch!

Let us examine an example of a woman who influenced her son eternally at childbirth. This woman was Leah Jacob, the first wife of Jacob the son of Isaac. He was one of the two grandchildren of Abraham.

To call Leah "a woman of sorrowful heart" is not in any way an exaggeration at all. Why? She was the first daughter of her father. Jacob wanted the younger sister as his heartthrob. He was never interested in Leah.

Why?

"Leah was tender eyed ; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored" Gen 29:17. Leah's sorrow started on the day she was used to replace her younger sister, Rachel, on her wedding night ; Genesis 29:23-26. Jacob protested to his father-in-law to no avail.

Since that time, Leah, as an obedient child to her father's instructions, resigned to her fate. She began to hunt for Jacob's love that was nowhere to be found. He did so with everything at her disposal without any success. Will you believe that this struggle and expectation manifested in the names given to her first three sons?

"And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, surely the Lord hath looked upon my affiction; now therefore my husband will love me." Genesis 29:32.
And she conceived again, and bare a son ; and said, Because the Lord hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also. and she called his name Simon. Verse 33.
And she conceived again, and bare a son ; and said, Now this tTim will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him tthere sons : therefore was his name called Levi. Verse 34.

To Leah, after three sons, the journey to seek and win Jacob's love became too long to complete. He resigned to her God. This manifested in the name given to her fourth child. It goes thus,
"And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said,
Now will I praise the Lord : therefore she called his name Judah." verse 35.

Do you ask, "What has this got to do with Judah?" it is a name that affected his pattern of living and assisted his destiny. Jacob, his father supported this as he unfolded Judah's destiny in Genesis 49:8-12. These read in part,
"Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise : thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies ; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until shiloh come ;and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." verse 8,10.

Remember that it was the mother who started it all. Do you know how this influenced his style of living? He was a man of great unquestionable authority. Let me cite three examples briefly :
In the sale of Joseph in Genesis chapter thirty-seven, it was his "suggestion" that prevailed over those of others, verses twenty-six to twenty-eight.

By the time he and his brethren were to go and buy food in Egypt, the second time, Jacob was not ready to allow Benjamin to go with them. He prevailed over his father. Genesis 43:3-11.

Finally, when Joseph purposed to retain or detain Benjamin in Egypt for a planned "stealing accusations, " Judah was the person who convinced Joseph to change his mind before the latter made himself known to his brethren, Gen 44:29-34.

He was a man of great authority indeed. When he spoke, no one speaks again. His words are final. Where did it start? From his parents, most especially Leah, his mother who decided to praise the Lord instead of chasing the shadow of a man's love that never was.

Beloved, can you see your great influence on your children. Please, influence them for the Lord your God. You will reap the reward here on earth and in heaven.
NOTE FOR SALVATION.
"The father loves the Son and has put everything into his hands.
And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't
obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remain under God's
angry judgment" John 3:35-36
Stay blessed and prepare for the imminent coming of the Lord.

The Author is the set man of CTFM(WORLD OUTREACH)and Presiding Pastor of Christ Restland Gospel Church.He is a Poet and author of many books. Visit his blogsites www.4thlink.wordpress.com and www.peacelink.wordpress.com for more quality contents.