Just when we thought that Spring was upon us, winter sneaked up behind us and let us know it hadn’t gone. A bit like COVID– just when we think it’s nearly finished something happens to set us back. We are certainly having to learn to live at a different pace and in a different way. We can’t plan too far ahead; we have to be more watchful; we are learning to cope with the difficulty of wearing a mask. On top of that it hasn’t been as easy to get around and we miss face to face contact with our friends. On the other hand, we have been relatively safe from the virus and most of us have kept reasonably well. There have also been some unexpected gifts – phone calls from friends, e-mails, cards or the gifts that friends have sent or handed in – on a no contact basis!! It’s those small visible, tangible things that make a difference.
I have been thinking of those old stories from Hebrew Scripture about Jacob and Joseph. You can read them in Chapters 25-50 of the Book of Genesis. (now there’s a task for a cold wet afternoon!!). I was just thinking about part of the story. You may remember that Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slaver and he ended up in Egypt and through a series of adventures and misadventures he became a powerful man in Egypt. Meanwhile back in Canaan, Jacob the father, was still grieving the loss of Joseph.
At a time when famine hit Canaan the brother’s went to Egypt where there was food to buy, thanks to the dreams and work of Joseph. They appeared before Joseph but did not recognise him. He played a few “games” on them and then revealed himself. The reunion is interesting!
Then he loads up their wagons with food and gifts and sends them back to Canaan – and Jacob. Their instructions are to bring Jacob back to Egypt so he can be looked after in his old age.
They set out and finally arrive back in Canaan and announce the great news that Joseph is alive and is governor of all the land of Egypt. But to Jacob the news seems to be too good to be true. The brothers try to convince him but the old man thinks otherwise until he lifts up his eyes and sees the provisions and gifts that Joseph had sent. Then he knows that Joseph is alive. The Bible’s words are impressive: “And when he saw the wagons, the spirit of Jacob, their father, revived”.
It was the visible and tangible things that convinced him. We too, need visible and tangible things to encourage us and help us to keep going – and not just in COVID-time. So those simple things like a phone call, an e-mail, a plate of scones or pikelets (maybe even a fruit cake!!) are like the wagons that Jacob saw and which revived his spirit.
Well, that’s enough from me this week. I hope the week ahead is a satisfying one for you – whether you are looking for the wagons or whether you are loading them.
Shalom
Jim
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