BLESSING OTHERS
Today's reading: Genesis 44-47

"Then Joseph brought his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. How old are you? Pharaoh asked him. Jacob replied, I have lived for 130 hard years, but I am still not nearly as old as many of my ancestors. Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before he left." Genesis 47:7-10 NLT

To set the stage:

The famine in going full blast. The brothers have been re-introduced to the brother they had sold into slavery. The family of 66 has moved from Canaan to the land of Egypt. The patriarch, Jacob, is now being introduced to Pharaoh with the hope of being allotted land and provisions...

And what do we read?

...Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

...Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before he left.

That's not the intention of this visit. It's not the protocol. It's not why Joseph scheduled the meeting or even why Pharaoh agreed to it. Blessing Pharaoh was not the reason for the gathering.

But it happened.

Honestly, it should happen anytime God's people enter a room, interact within a room or leave a room--someone should have been blessed.

No matter the reasons for being there.

No matter the intent of the interaction.

No matter the people involved, we as God's children have been given opportunity, through grace, mercy, forgiveness and love, to bless those God allows into our paths.

So, go out today with a new mission.

Go forth and give a little of what God's given to you.

Go ahead, bless their little hearts!