The Goodness of God
Traipsing through the hills
the wonderous meadow
buoys my mood
eyes drawn to lovely
sunflowers, milkweed, larkspur,
and spiderwort
carefree butterflies and
humming bumblebees welcome
nectar testing.
In these moments, I breathe
in the goodness of God and
Her sacredness.
Last Sunday there was
a different kind of buzzing
in the Fellowship Hall
as more than a dozen
donated the “gift of life”
with a scene
no less lovely than
the meadow flaunting it’s
summer glory.
Once more, I breathed in
God’s goodness and faithful
such as these.
Genesis 37:1-4 (CEB) Joseph’s Dreams
37 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.
This is the account of Jacob’s family line.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
The scriptures reveal humanity at its best and its worst. In these words that have been passed on for nearly three thousand years, we hear that Israel (formerly known as Jacob) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. Of course, children have always known that life isn’t fair! We can see it all around us and in our minds may include those who need blood transfusions to survive.
We pray for the young mother who struggles against cancer with all her might, as she finds each day with her children and loving husband invaluable.
We pray for this unfortunate driver who didn’t see the distracted person coming until they’d run the red light and came crashing into their car causing physical harm.
We care about those who are anemic after surgery or dialysis.
Like the rain nurturing wildflowers that in turn provide sustenance for the hummingbirds, people who donate blood make it look so easy to save lives. In their own way, purpose is found in restoring life to another and leveling the playing field of life. On top of everything else, in God’s eyes all are invaluable and loved beyond measure. The Holy Spirit has filled us with the transforming power of love so that we will embrace others in healing peace.
We pray God’s blessings upon you and Saint Paul Benson,
Rev. Marta Wheeler