Now let’s go on to the second record. You see, it’s so important to have a basis for your beliefs, values, decisions and positions. Without that, you’ll find yourself swaying this way and that. People should be able to say this is who this person is. Standing by that reason is what keeps you true and authentic as you relate with all kinds of people and are faced with different circumstances from day to day.
Jacob had his reason. He loved Joseph the most because he was born to him in his old age, and to make the distinction between Joseph and the rest of his sons, he gave him a coat of many colours. He must have thought to himself, ‘what harm could there possibly be in giving a beautiful coat to my favourite son?’
Well, the first person who experienced the harm was Joseph himself. His brothers hated him to the extent that they couldn’t say a kind word to him. Talk about verbal abuse. It started right from his father’s house. But then, what did you expect? Afterall, Daddy isn’t always home. ‘We’ll deal with you ehn? And if you talk, we’ll finish you when Daddy goes out again’. Does that sound familiar?
To make matters worse, Joseph had dreams of becoming great and he told those dreams to his brothers. Who else did he have to confide in? They were meant to be his friends, his most trusted allies, his support system, his safe place. But he was so wrong. He didn’t realize his father had turned his brothers to his enemies. The script played out and at an opportune time when daddy wasn’t around, they sold him into slavery to ensure none of those big dreams came true. But for God; that would have been the end of Joseph.
I will not have a favourite child. I will continue to appreciate each one’s uniqueness, love the good in them, and do all I can to nurture their individual gifts – from playing video games and experimenting with numbers, to painting and having a photographic memory, and lastly to drumming and disturbing all the occupants of this house with the loudness of it, I will love each one of them. I will make sure each one feels entirely and completely loved and that that love overflows into their loving one another and being best buddies for life. I will see them as they are – fearfully and wonderfully made – and continue to pray that they all grow to become all they were created to be. This is my position and my commitment. What’s yours?
Picture Credit: http://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/2015/06/26/news/be-honest-have-you-a-favourite-child–147844/