The Man on the Ladder 10: Refulgence





Joseph was away at work.  Ten-year-old Maggie was home from school.  Patherna and Lucy had been home all day cleaning and preparing dinner.  Lucy was four-years-old and proudly wore the dress her mother had made.  She loved dressing up.  She loved stringing green beans (they had already done this for the day). And she loved Bible study with mommy and Maggie.  It made her feel grown up.  She loved learning about the great men and women of the past and the grand Creator she could barely imagine, but knowing He was there made her feel safe.  The three were finishing up.

“Now, do you remember what Psalm 100 tells us?”

The questions were never directed to a specific sister, but Maggie always answered as Lucy listened intently, “Yes mommy.  We are God’s sheep.  Thank the Lord, praise the Lord.  God is good.  God is merciful and he is forever.”

“Yes baby.  Praise God with your mouth.  With our hearts we believe, with our mouths we confess.  Make it known you love Him.  God is good.  I am proud of you, baby.  I love you.”

“I love you too Mommy.”

Feeling left out, Lucy interjected, “I love you too Mommy!”

They had been learning about how God is good and about Joseph and his brothers.  Both daughters loved to hear about Joseph.  While not a great warrior like David or Samson, Joseph was a man who overcame so much and rose to great power through his faith and devotion to God. Also, honestly, it was neat that he had the same name as their dad.  One thing troubled Little Maggie though.  And Patherna sensed it.

“What is the matter baby? Why are you sad?”

“Why did Jacob curse Joseph’s Mommy?”

“Well baby, Jacob did curse her but did not know it was her he was cursing.  Rachel’s father’s idols were stolen.  Jacob did not know his wife had taken them, but he understood justice and agreed that a price should be paid.  Rachel paid that price.  I believe that losing his mommy made Joseph mighty.  We believe that God’s grace gave us freedom.  We choose what we do in our life.  And our life helps us make choices.  Everything Joseph did was because of a choice he made.  His life would have been completely different had he not lost his mommy.  Do you understand?”

“I think so, but it was sad.”

“It was sad, and I know Jacob must have been really sad too. But I know that Rachel must have been proud of Joseph.  And she knows that she helped him rule Egypt.  Don’t you think?”

“I do Mommy.”

Maggie was so young but she was brilliant.  She radiated so much joy and intelligence she could light up a dark room.  She understood that with faith so much could be achieved.  And with the love and companionship of a family like hers, she could do great things. 
Lucy was proud of her big sister.  She could tell that Maggie was smart, she hoped to be like her when she was older.


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