Today’s scripture: Genesis 13:1-12 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Kristin Lee):
Today we read that there was strife between Abram’s and Lot’s herdsmen because the land could not support them both. In an effort to keep the peace, Abram and Lot parted ways, with Lot residing in the Jordan Plain and Abram staying in the land of Canaan.
At first glance, this story doesn’t appear appropriate for the Thanksgiving holiday. Holidays are a time to say hello, not goodbye. It’s a time to share space by sitting around one table, not for family members to gather their possessions and travel in different directions. I know I’m right about Thanksgiving because television commercials further the image of extended family sharing a special meal, with smiles and laughter abounding.
But what if the holiday comes and we aren’t as happy as those actors who are able to put aside differences for the good of the holiday? Have we done something wrong? Perhaps. Perhaps it’s time to forgive and move on or apologize and ask for grace.
Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that we cause our own unhappiness with our unreasonable expectations.
But perhaps we haven’t done anything wrong. Perhaps we just don’t get along with someone and never will. Perhaps it’s more detrimental to our soul to be around family than to not. Perhaps, in order to keep from making a bad situation worse, it’s imperative to part ways.
Lot and Abram didn’t have commercials depicting how life should be, but there were certainly societal expectations of how kinsmen should live. Those expectations didn’t work for them, and they did something different so they could live in peace. They made their odd, unique, and unacceptable (to some) decision after thoughtful conversation. We are all strong enough to do the same.
Thought for the day: When inundated with images of how life “should be,” remember that the Bible provides better guidance than a 30 second promotional spot.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.