NOVEMBER 2020 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS UMC
POINT CARRY A LITTLE HONEY! Most of you who are reading this would probably agree that our weary and troubled world is in desperate need of something that would lift our spirits and give us hope for the days ahead. If that’s the case, I want to share with you a story taken from the Old Testament book of Genesis that shines an optimistic light into our darkness. It is the story of Joseph, the dreamer. Sold into slavery because of his fanciful dreams by his jealous brothers (Genesis 37:18-28), Joseph is taken to Egypt where he prospers because of his dreams. Eventually, he is made the governor of all the food distribution in Egypt during a great famine, and guess who comes before him from the land of Canaan seeking food? That’s right, his brothers, whom he hasn’t seen in many years. They did not know it was Joseph, but their long lost brother knew it was them. After devising an elaborate scheme to find out as much as he could about his family, Joseph keeps one of the brothers and vows not to release him until the youngest brother Benjamin, whom he has never seen, returns with them on their next trip to Egypt. When Israel, the patriarch of the family finds out that his son Simeon is being held by this stranger who also wants to see Benjamin, he is distraught, but instructs his sons in this manner: “If it must me so, then do this: take some of the best fruit of the land in your bags, and carry them down as a present to the man—some balm, and carry a little honey..” Genesis 43:11 Their father knew that “honey” might be interpreted as a sign of goodwill and cooperation; it could be seen as a peace offering; it might open some doors, build some bridges, mend some fences, and establish a relationship with this stranger in Egypt. “Carry some honey in your bags and take your brother Benjamin with you, and may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man.” (Genesis 43:12-14)
A MESSAGE FROM
LEE BREWER
PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
It was Thanksgiving Day. The extended family was all gathered around the table covered with a bounty of delicious foods. After the blessing, the woman of the house asked, “Who wants to carve the turkey?” Her father replied, “You married him. You have to carve him.” Now, that is NOT the attitude we want to bring to our Thanksgiving table! However, the smile or the laughter that story elicits is. 2020 will probably not be a year that most of us will remember with great fondness. There have been just a few challenges along the way, haven’t there? For some of us there have been some great challenges, losses, hurts and disappointments. Nevertheless, just in the fact that we are here to bemoan the problems and pandemic of this time speaks to us of God’s providence and provision. To truly give thanks in this season requires us to make a choice to see and remember our blessings.
Over these last few months, we have been stretched to our limits by the emotional and psychological toll of this pandemic. We’ve become more isolated, separated from each other along political lines, racial lines and economic insecurities. Many family relationships and marriages have suffered. But what would happen if we decided to “carry a little honey” with us in our personal affairs and our interactions with others? What would our world look like if we decided to “carry a little honey” with us in order to build bridges instead of walls?
The hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” calls us to focus on the reasons we have for truly giving thanks in this season:
The honey which I speak of is represented with words such as: kindness, care, concern, compassion, empathy, understanding, and love. That’s what honey sounds like and feels like in 2020!
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
So, I have decided to make it my priority during this dark stretch of our journey to mend fences, heal and restore broken relationships, build bridges, and take the best that Bob Hayes has to offer into the bright future God is preparing for us! And I ask you: Won’t you join me? Bishop Bob Hayes, Bishop in Residence
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!” Morning by morning new mercies I see;
“Great is Thy faithfulness, “ Lord, unto me! My prayer for us all is that we each can find and focus on the blessings of the Lord this Thanksgiving. Even more, I pray that we can find the blessing in the gift of each day of life. Giving thanks for each of you! Lee
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY!