My neighbor passed away. She was ninety-one years and had been full of life until her slow decline… Three years ago I think, she had broken her hip twice and her house flooded and I don’t know how many other things. And that’s when her family decided to pull her out and put her in an assisted living facility which she absolutely loved. Three meals a day and bingo and manicures and physical therapy and socialization!!! She never looked back. She lived life in the present and seemed to let the past stay in the past…  Yes, even when she left her house, most of her stuff was left behind which did get donated, except I kept her green towel and she gave me some statues and a big bowl. And of course lots of laughter and great memories. She was the first neighbor we met years ago now.

She also was Jewish and although I didn’t see her practicing holidays much, we talked about God all the time being in charge. I did come across a Jewish scripture book when I cleaned out her house. Her house is gone and the new house replaced it and a new family… and that’s the way life goes… We are here but for a moment. What is remembered is our wonderful fun loving tribes of folks and I’m so grateful I got to be in her tribe and that of my neighbors.  

Now, being of the Jewish faith, Jesus, fully man and fully God, was also from a tribe – the tribe of Judah, Jesus called “The Lion of Judah”. The tribes of God – they are pillars of regular people being chosen to do big things for God – including be fruitful and multiply the children of God. The 12 tribes and then Jesus took 12 disciples. 12 is a good number!

The tribes (from Abraham then Issac then Jacob) were set into the world by the 12 children of Jacob – from 4 mothers – children including Joseph and his dreamcoat (for which my first VBS this year is about) – and then Moses coming from that tribe to pull them out of Egypt some 400 years later (for which my second VBS is about) – imagine that 400 years is a long time – and imagine that God has known all these things for from before forever ago and way past forever from now – it is unbelievable but God knows His Plan. And He knows the plans for us too – so enjoy the people you enjoy – make peace with your neighbors and you will be blessed – take time to be in the moment  – and enjoy life…

And may your own tribe thrive!!!

Amen

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Genesis 22:14-18 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”