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Roots 2
"All My Children"
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You would think that Jacob would have learned something from the conditions in which he grew up. He had seen the impact of parental favoritism. Perhaps, he had even done like many of us, i.e. say to himself, “When I have a family I will never do what my parents did!” But here is Jacob doing exactly what was done to him. Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons. “Family Mess!” This is the backdrop of the story that is about to be told...
Let me give a word of advice to parents who have more than one child. Each child is different and certainly must be related to differently and loved differently. I believe it is impossible to love two children equally, because they are not equal. Each child is a unique gift of God. But do all that you can to keep from preferring or showing a preference for one child over another. Although you cannot love each child exactly the same, you can love each child to the same extent. You can go to the same lengths for each child. I am not sure how well I did, but I tried to go to the same lengths for each of my children.
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I tried to go to both of their events, although their events were different. |
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I tried to spend money on things that were important to them, although those things would be drastically different. |
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I tried to spend time with each of them; doing what each wanted to do. |
When your children tell you something that God is saying to them, listen and encourage them.
“Family Mess” runs all through the roots of this family, from Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, and especially through his sons. But, through Jacob’s consideration of Joseph’s words and dreams, we get a tip off that God is at work, behind, beneath, through, above, and beyond all of this “Family Mess.” God is not through with Joseph, yet!
Examine your history. Check out your roots. Find out what happened, in your family, which nobody wants to talk about. Whatever it is, it is still impacting you today. Sweeping “Family Mess” under the rug doesn’t get rid of it. It just hides it until it starts to stink even more. Ignoring the roots of “Family Mess” doesn’t get rid of it. It simply sprouts and comes up in another place.
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Uncover the “Family Mess” in your family and put it in the hands of Jesus, knowing that if God sends you to Egypt: it is because He is working out His promise, prophecy, and destiny in your life.