Hello friends, I hope you have been enjoying your summer so far as the temperatures are rising and the sun is flexing it's muscle and in full force. I have been in Arizona recently where the highs have been hitting around 108 degrees. Thank God for air-conditioning! The hot weather is just a small price to pay for getting the opportunity to spend time with my treasured son and family. I hope you are finding yourself well and enjoy some time off this summer. It has been a very busy but enjoyable season so far, as we have been traveling quite often. I apologize for being a bit tardy on posting my new Blog Posts each week due to frequent traveling and my mom just fell and has been in the hospital. We are waiting for results to see what the next move will be, but I am happy to have found some time to start to put my post together. It is such a joy for me to get the chance to sit down and connect with you again. I am excited to see where The Lord is going to lead me as I write these posts. He always comes through in directing my path and I am so thankful. I pray and ask for guidance, and he always comes through :) For those who believe in the power of prayer, would you mind uplifting my mom in prayer through this time. They are also monitoring her heart as her heart rate is running consistently below 40 which they are concerned with. We have seen God's hand in this whole process, and we know He is in control. About two hours later after she was admitted and got to her room, there was a shift change. The new nurse was named Faith. I told her I loved her name, and we loved Jesus, she said, "Praise God, so do I and I even love to pray with my patients." We told her we would love that! We talked about the amazement of God and we shared with her how happy and blessed we all were that God connected us together. We are at complete peace that God is in this.
Recently, I have been reflecting quite a bit on the amazing life of Joseph in The Bible and the twists and turns his life took. I am sure after delving into his story we will all be able to relate to the many ups and downs in our lives as well. I am going to write this new blog post in two parts since it is such a spectacular story, and I am also going in several directions with my mom and attending to a few other things that need my attention. I think it is best for me to break this story of Joseph up into two parts so I can do his amazing story justice.
If there is one thing that might stick out to you about the life of Joseph is his beautiful coat of many colors, his father gave him. There has even been a long running Broadway play that goes into the life of Joseph and his robe of many colors, but there is so much more to his life we can learn from and be in awe of. As I thought about his life story more, it prompted me to read this incredible story over and find some very good commentary, I will be sure to include further into my post. I would encourage you to take the time to read through the actual story in The Holy Bible itself, there is so much jam packed into the life of Joseph. Many times, the articles or commentaries will just take on a chunk of it because of all Joseph went through from the time he was a young boy sold into a slavery by his jealous brothers, to his adulthood that we will highlight later in this two part post. His story is one that takes many twists and turns, actually gets a bit racy, which can happen if you read sections of The Bible, and is jaw-dropping when you learn of the outcome. It is real life and contains much we can learn from and apply to todays times. If it is included in The Bible, it is meant for us to read and learn from.
(An idea of what Josephs coat might have looked like)
I don't know where you fit in the birth order of your family, or your family dynamics, but Joseph was the favorite son of his father Israel (also called Jacob) and the first-born son to his true love, Rachel.
Jacob had a special love for his son Joseph, but I would imagine he loved all his sons. Joseph was the only one who received this special ornate colorful coat. Joseph was one of twelve brothers but because he was shown special treatment by Jacob his father, the other brothers became resentful, envious, and jealous of him.
I would like to take a moment to highlight some of the events in Josephs life even though I highly recommend taking out the time to read it straight from The Holy Bible and or also clicking on the articles I have listed below that shed great light on his life. There is no substitute for the inspired word of God.
Joseph was the favorite son of his father Jacob (later renamed Israel in Genesis 32:29) Jacob was married to his true love Rachel. Joseph was one of twelve brothers. The twelve brothers were the ancestors of the historical Twelve Tribes of Israel. As a side note to put all this in perspective, Jacob (Josephs father) was the grandson of the patriarch Abraham and the son of Isaac.
Joseph was working as a shepherd and began having prophetic dreams in his upper teens around 17. He began to share these dreams with his brothers and then to his father. These early dreams were showing that Joseph would be above his brothers, and the brothers would be bowing down to them. When he shared that with them, they did not like as you would only imagine, for many reasons. "Here comes that dreamer they said to each other."
Jacob asked Joseph to check on his other brothers who were away tending the sheep. After Joseph traveled a distance to find them, the brothers saw him coming from afar, and devised a plan to kill him due to their jealousy. One of the brothers named Reuben convinced his brothers not to kill Joseph, but to throw him into a pit (a dry cistern) with the intension of rescuing Joseph later and returning him to his father Jacob in Israel. Before throwing him into an empty deep pit to die, they stripped him of his ornate colorful robe.
When they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites with camels loaded up heading to Egypt. Judah, one of the brothers suggested to the other brothers, to sell Joseph into slavery, rather than kill him. They agreed to sell Joseph to the Midianites (another name for Ishmaelites) for 20 pieces of silver.
The rest of the brothers took it one step further and came up with a scheme to convince their father that Joseph was attacked by an animal so they took the robe and dipping it into the blood of a goat they had just killed (you can read about this in Genesis chapter 37) This happened before Reuben got a chance to rescue him. Jacob mourned for many days after the sons went back to Jacob and showed him the robe they said they found with blood on it.
Meanwhile, The Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard. Genesis 37:36
Judah left his brothers, met a Canaanite women, who was not a Hebrew like himself, and married her (This was looked down upon) Judah and Tamar had three sons.
Joseph was taken down to Egypt, and even though his life seemed like it was hopeless now in slavery, he had favor in God's eyes. God had a bigger plan than Joseph knew. Joseph began to work as a slave in Potiphar's house. Potiphar was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard. When Potiphar saw the Lord was with Joseph, he made Joseph his personal attendant and put him in charge of all his household and all that he owned. He entrusted to his care everything he owned. The Lord blessed the house of Potiphar the Egyptian, because of Joseph. Can you believe the twists and turns this story is taking?!
In Genesis 39 we read that after a while of running Potiphar's household, Potiphar's wife, had eyes for Joseph, but Joseph was a man of God and man of integrity. She wanted to sleep with Joseph, but he refused, saying he was loyal to his master who trusted him. Joseph told her it was an evil sin against God. One day she tried to trap him and he refused. He ran from her, but he left his cloak. She screamed for help so the servants would come to her aid, and when Potiphar came home later she accused Joseph of rape. She twisted the story to Potiphar and said that when she screamed, due to Joseph pursing her, Joseph fled and left his cloak. You will see that Gods hand was on Joseph life when you read on. Are you getting a stomach ache on Josephs' rollercoaster ride of a life?!
Genesis 39:20-23 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
(Can you believe how Joseph is seeing favor from God again with the prison warden?!)
Not long after the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was. The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph who now had status in the prison. The two prisoners had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.
The next day they seemed sad. They told Joseph they both had a dream, but they had no one to interpret them. Joseph said, "Do not interpretation belong to God? and he told them to tell him their dreams. The cupbearer went first, and his dream had to do with a vine with three branches (more details can be found in Genesis 40) Joseph told him what it meant. After Joseph explained the dream, he did tell the cupbearer that in three days he would be restored to his position with the king, but when all is well with him and the king, to please not forget about him and to mention him to the king so he can be let out of prison.
Since the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation to the cupbearer, he told Joseph his dream. In his dream he had three baskets of bread on his head. In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on his head (this can further be read starting with Genesis 40:16)
On the third day it was Pharaoh's birthday, so he gave a feast. He restored the cupbearer to his position, but he impaled the chief baker just as joseph had interpreted. The chief cupbearer forgot about Joseph for two years.
Pharoah The King, had another dream (in Genesis 41) He was standing by the Nile and out of the river there came seven cows sleek and fat. After them came seven other cows out of the river, ugly and gaunt. The ugly cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Pharoah woke up. He fell asleep again and had a second dream. This dream had to do with seven heads of grain, healthy and good, that were growing on a single stalk. After them seven other heads of grain sprouted, thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up and in the morning his mind was troubled. He sought all the magicians and wise men of Egypt but they could not interpret them.
The chief cupbearer told Pharaoh that he remembered a young Hebrew who was in jail had interpreted his dream and the bakers dreams, and things turned out exactly as Joseph interpreted them. Pharaoh sent for Joseph and he was quickly brought to him. Joseph told Pharaoh he cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answers he desires (This was Joseph giving God the glory, not himself!)
Joseph told Pharaoh that his two dreams were one and the same. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years...The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.
Genesis 41:28-32 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt,30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe.32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. 33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”
I am going to stop there, because the rest of the story is so good and so full. Such a cliffhanger. Feel free to read on through chapter 50. I am reading from the NIV version in The Holy Bible. All I can say to those who don't fully know the story of Joseph or who have forgotten some of the details, this story is jaw dropping. It is one that gives us hope and can help us see that just when you think God has dropped you off at the curb and you feel like He is silent, he is working all things together for your good. His plan is abundant and is better than you could ever try and work out for yourself, regardless of your desperate situation. He is asking you to trust your life to him and allow Him to work his goodness in your life. Take your hands off the wheel and allow Him to drive and direct your path. He will do it if you allow Him to :) The choice is ours!
Here is one of the articles I read after reading Genesis 37-50
(My Mom, son and his fiancé (who are Rn's) and I a month before her fall)
As I sign off, I wanted to give you an update on my mom Joan. She fell Sunday August 13, 2023 in the evening at her home. She was found by my nephew who had only been home for one week because he was in South Carolina for two months playing collegiate baseball in a tournament. He found her within an hour of falling at her home, and he called my youngest son who is an ICU RN. He just so happened to be in the same city as my mom lives, with his fiancé, visiting family (Do we see the Lord in this or what?!) They were able to take my mom to the hospital by being very creative. That's a story within itself. She stayed in the hospital for two days and is currently in a rehab facility until she gets better (TBC.)
What is even more phenomenal is she got into the facility that was our number one choice and is in the next city over from where she lives (God made a way!) We are certain there is a much bigger story in all that she is going through!) She feels valued there and is getting top notch care. We have been trying to encourage her for years to go to the nearby community centers around her city, and get involved, play games, do crafts, and meet some nice new people. She has been caregiving for my dad and my sister who have since passed and also helping with my brother-in-law who recently past as well. She has given so much to those around who have needed care and it has been a bit overwhelming at times. Her life has just started to settle down and she has had intensions to seek out some activities but has not joined any yet. The irony in her situation now, is the amazing activities director at the rehab facility she is now staying at, is now seeking her out and getting her involved in the activities to lift her spirits and get her mind off her pain, isn't that Amazing! She went to Bingo for the first time on Friday after only being at the rehab 3 days. She had a lot of fun and can't wait to go participate in the upcoming events. Isn't it amazing how things just work out. God is taking her through a journey of not only healing her body but also healing her soul and spirit along with helping her to make new friends and have some fun. I will continue to keep you posted on her journey. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
I will leave you with these scripture my dad gave to my mom several years ago when she was going in for a surgery:
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I am going to post part 2 most likely at the end of next week as I will be traveling taking care of business out of state. Be well and know you are in my thoughts and prayers as well.
We are also about to get the 1st tropical storm to hit our area in approximately 83 years today. They are calling it a hurricane. The rain started to pour last night. I am sure the plants, trees, flowers, and animals are so happy. I am going to get this posted before we possibly loose power. God is good and always in control. We can rest in that :)
I wanted to also thank you for you and for spending time with me. I invite you to explore more on my website www.intoyourgrowth.com The "About" section will help you to learn more about my inspiration for writing this BLOG if you would like to read it. I would like to invite you to click on "BLOG" to see more of my previous posts, as only a few are shown on the front page. If you view this on your cell, you can click on the brown square menu button at the top of the HOMEPAGE or you can use the arrows below under the most recent posts, to find more. If you are encouraged by what you read, I invite you to "SUBSCRIBE" to this Blog (if you have not already done so) and you will receive notification via email when I publish a new post. I usually try to post on Mondays but summer and a few other events are changing that plan for now. Thank you for your patience and prayers :)
I am so appreciative of the feedback and comments my readers leave! I would love to hear how your are doing on your journey, so I welcome any comments in the Comments Section.
Be well and God bless you. I will continue to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Big hugs,
Jen Henry
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