ENDURING
LOVE
You’ll recall that Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery in Egypt. But the Lord watched over Joseph. Years later, when he was rich and powerful, his brothers worried: “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for the wrong we did to him?” The verse above is Joseph’s reply.
Joseph’s story and his reactions throughout have always amazed and inspired me. As a special education teacher, I see students who think that other students have an easier life. Over the years, I have heard many comments like: “It’s not fair that he gets to do that but I don’t.” “How come I can’t do the same thing he does?”
It is important that my students’ needs are met individually — even if on the surface it may appear to other students that one is getting something that they are not. In the end, each student’s needs are met.
Recently I heard a student wish he didn’t have a disability. I appreciate his thinking that life would be easier without it. But it’s not that simple.
Don’t we all ask ourselves if our lives would be better if…?
Joseph’s brothers must have felt the same way. Their lives would be better if only Joseph wasn’t around. But, apparently, their lives didn’t get better. Meanwhile, Joseph led a charmed life. The amazing part of Joseph’s life is that, though his brothers had meant to harm him, he still invited them to his world and offered love and life-sustaining support at his table.
Dear Lord, thank you for inviting me to your table. Please help me live up to Joseph’s amazing example of enduring love and continue to help me through my difficulties as I celebrate your love. Amen.
