Living in the Spirit

August 7, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. This is the story of the family of Jacob.

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. –Genesis 37:14

Parenting is hard work. Raising children to be who they were created to be is a challenge. All people are unique, and because of that, all people do not meld together in the same way. My mother and sister enjoyed working together all day long and never crossed paths. They both loved to garden and sew. I was a challenge for my mother. I did not like to work in the garden, and I did not like to sew. I did enjoy cooking, and I did not mind dusting and sweeping. I particularly loved to read. Fairly early in my life, the female labor on our farm ended up being divided that way. I could clean the house and cook quickly enough to get a good stretch of reading in before they returned from the garden. It seemed to be a satisfactory arrangement for all. While we were very different, my sister and I have always gotten along well. We were blessed with a mother who recognized and respected our individuality and taught us to do the same for each other.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for parents who loved us enough to let us become who we were created to be. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Living in the Spirit

August 8, 2023

Scripture Reading: Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b

Prayer: Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.