Tip of My Iceberg

My two sisters came for a visit, leaving the desert of Tucson for the humid greenery of Orlando. I hadn’t seen them for over seven months, so our reunion was fun–and funny.

My little sister had visited a year ago, and I took her to the Orlando Wetlands, 1650 acres of a man-made center for reclaimed water from the area and a natural wildlife refuge. There are a plethora of bird species that draw a variety of birders toting cameras and binoculars. Alligators found in residential areas are brought here to experience a more natural and less dangerous (for people) habitat.

This year we took my twin sister with us on a walk through this veritable prehistoric landscape. This little family of sand hill cranes was close to the path, providing a wonderful picture of intentional family living.

Signs are posted everywhere–Keep Your Distance From the Sand Hill Cranes. I had no intention of getting close to them–I’ve had a few encounters that have left me less than passionate about these birds.

As my sisters and I walked around the lake, we came across a family of sand hill cranes with the little hatchlings being only a few weeks old. They were only about five feet from us–not the distance that dictated that rule.

I confess I’m not much of a rule follower. I do obey laws almost always, but some rules seem a little too restrictive. So I moved a little closer to get a picture of the feathered family.

What fascinated me was how either the mom or dad or both maneuvered to be between any people and their chicks; they protected their young.

It’s what we expect families to do.

Families aren’t always so straightforward–they can be messy.

Even in the Bible, families were complicated.

Jacob had twelve sons, but his favorite was the eleventh, Joseph, whom he showered with gifts. His preference for this son was not lost on the other eleven. They became so frustrated and angry that they determined they’d kill him. But when the time came, they chose to sell him as a slave to Midianite traders who were traveling through their area. He was eventually sold to an Egyptian officer.

His troubles didn’t stop there. He did excellent work for his master, but his master’s wife had other ideas for him. She tried to seduce him, but he ran from her. Feeling jilted, she accused him of rape, and he was thrown in prison.

Again, Joseph worked hard and developed a solid relationship with the jailor who put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners. But even with a clean record, he waited thirteen years before he was released from prison. Pharaoh had had a difficult dream, and Joseph was called on to interpret it. When Joseph’s insights provided Pharaoh with a plan to save his kingdom from a coming famine, he gave Joseph authority over Egypt. Only Pharaoh himself had more power.

When famine struck, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt looking for food. They didn’t recognize the man in Egyptian garb as their brother–but he knew them. They had betrayed him and berated him. Now he was in a position to hurt them–or help them.

Joseph fully forgave his brothers.

“‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.’ So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.” Genesis 50:20-21

Despite the rough treatment by his family, Joseph embraced the reality that God had put him in the right place at the right time to help his family and countless others. Rather than anger and retribution, Joseph chose grace and mercy. He protected those he loved even when they didn’t treat him with love.

Like the sand hill cranes, most of us have an attitude of protecting those we love. Like Joseph, those relationships can turn on you.

Treating people with grace and mercy, even if they don’t return the favor, is the right thing to do. Not easy, but right. Acting for the good of others, whether they’re family or not, takes courage, humility, and a love that can only come from God.

Treating everyone with love as if they are family is what we’re meant to do.

With God.