Today’s scripture: Genesis 33 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
(NOTE: Genesis 41:37-57 ran June 13 in case you are going through Genesis in order. Click here – Be Still June 13)
My thoughts (David Zier):
Why is it that some siblings go through periods of time where they just can’t get along? I can relate to this.
My brother and I were very close growing up. We had a lot of the same friends. We were only fourteen months apart. But as we grew into our mid to late teens, we grew apart. The crowd he ran around with changed. He resented me going to college. I went to the University of Central Florida with financial help from my parents for day-to-day living expenses. My brother resented me for that. However, my parents offered to send him anywhere to college, but that offer ended when he turned 25. He never took them up on that. Instead, he would rather resent me and tell everyone that my parents treated him badly. Ugh!
Over time, my brother made many bad choices. He got himself in trouble with the law a few times. We would go years not communicating; one time over a decade. He did the same to my parents. But, recently, he is trying to reconnect. In his own way, he is reaching out. We all tried, many times over the years, but nothing ever worked. He had to want it. We knew he had to do that work within himself.
So, my family lined up like Jacob’s. My brother, who had been going guns a-blazing; meaning he would launch anything and everything against us to invent reasons why he treated us, especially my parents, the way he did. Now, after decades, he is retreating and putting his hand out to meet ours. The relationships are not perfect these days, but at least he calls my parents on holidays and birthdays and sends them cards. He visited them and helped them with many of the household items needing to be done. He had not done that for more than 30 years. I praise God for this wonderful work, and pray for a continued transformation.
Thought for the day: Reconciliation is hard work, but it is worth it. With God, all things are possible. Allow Jesus into your situations. Allow the healing work to be present and grow.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.