Trying On Joseph's Shoes

Trying on Joseph's Shoes-- Poem for 16 August, 2020

The Joseph story continues in the Lectionary. The name Joseph comes from the Hebrew meaning God adds, God increases. In the story this week, Joseph reveals himself as the loving brother to the ones who had hated him. Five chapters later after their father, Jacob, dies the brothers are afraid that Joseph will now unleash vengeance on them. But Joseph tells them that no matter what they had done, they have all been able to increase through those difficult times. A reminder that it is when I have been hurt that I have been able to grow, and when there is honest forgiveness both sides grow.

Genesis 45:15 And Joseph kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

Genesis 50:20 Joseph said: “ . . . you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”

Trying On Joseph's Shoes

Looking at the Joseph story, I am both;

one who sinned or one sinned against,

wants it forgotten, or, to stay incensed,

but it is forgiveness that brings growth.

The hard part is to give up being right,

like Joseph I learned that in being hurt,

wasn't a time that I'd give up as introvert

stuffing everything down, or go for fight.

I had to learn a third way, how to love,

to work to do what's in my enemy's best

interests and still be honest and blessed,

as if we're both under a descending dove.

Indeed, enemy and I both, an image share

of Divine un-rationed love, increases care.