Hi everyone! It's Tania and welcome to the Moms for Christ podcast. Recently as I was reading with my children, a Word hit my heart that comes from Genesis chapter 50, verse 17 to 20. And it says, "'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said. But Joseph said to them, ‘Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’”

This Word is written right after Israel, also known as Jacob, Joseph's father dies. Joseph’s brothers wrote this letter to Joseph saying it was from their father in order to save their lives.

When Joseph was very young, he was sold into slavery by his older brothers. During this time in slavery he endured many hardships - he was even falsely accused by Pothiphar’s wife and imprisoned for many years. During these very difficult years, in Genesis chapter 39:20-21 it says, “...But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him…” The Lord was with Joseph, and in His timing He took Joseph out of prison and placed him in charge of Egypt, just under Pharoah. Using the knowledge the Lord had given him, he stored food for a famine that was to come. That famine caused the very brothers who sold him into slavery to unknowingly purchase grain from the brother they sold into slavery. Ultimately restoration was brought to his family.

"I want my children to understand, no matter what they endure in this life...."

After living near Joseph for 17 years, his brothers feared that their father was the one who kept Joseph from killing them and their father's death would result in their death as well. What they failed to understand is that Joseph understood that he had to go through those trials to bring him exactly where he was in that moment. From the time he was young, God had a plan for his life. This was not an easy road for Joseph. In order to come into the calling God had for him, he had to trust God despite all that he endured to fulfill the call God had for his life.

"When we forgive others, it frees us to do the work God has called us to."

I want my children to understand, no matter what they endure in this life, they are called to forgive - just as Jesus forgave them. I want them to know that God uses everything in their lives to not only bring them closer to Him, but to also fulfill the plan that He has had for their lives from the very beginning of time.

"...remind us to look at the cross, and what forgiveness truly looks like."

When you look through the Bible at our forefathers, God had a plan for each of their lives, but that plan was not fulfilled without obstacles and struggles. Joseph understood that every bad intention in his life, God turned for good and he forgave his brothers long before they asked for forgiveness. When we forgive others, it frees us to do the work God has called us to.

Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for seeing all that we are, all the ugliness within each of us. Despite the hatred and bitterness towards You, You gave Your life. Please, teach us to be like You, and should we ever feel like we have a right to hold a grudge, remind us to look at the cross, and what forgiveness truly looks like. Amen. God bless and have a wonderful week I will speak to you again soon.