Lazy Acres Center Point, Iowa
Jacob has settled the score with Laban, and he now turns his eyes once again toward home. But he soon learns that he must face his brother Esau first. Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him . . . Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau, in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. He instructed them: “This is what you are to say to my master Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now. I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, menservants and maidservants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.’” When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” ~ Genesis 32:1-6 We are not told what the angels had to say to Jacob. My thought is that they, not only welcomed him back into the Promised Land, but told him he would now be facing his brother to restore his relationship with his brother. This is what God would expect of us, especially if we are to receive God’s blessing. I think this because the very next words we read is that Jacob sends messengers to Esau. Notice that he didn’t go himself. I could only speculate as to why, but I’m going out on a limb and say it was out of fear. God expects us to make amends ourselves, and He expects the same from Jacob, so the story doesn’t end here. I wonder what Jacob’s anxiety level was as he waited for the messenger’s return. How often do we delay reconciliation because of fear of what the other person(s) might think or say or do? But when God lives in us, this is the path we must take and we must trust in Him. Sometimes that knowledge is easier said than done. But when it’s done, how much lighter our burden is! And our relationship with the Father is restored.
It’s Labor Day weekend, so guess what we did? We labored of course! And we ate (of course!). Blaine got into a much bigger project than he’d planned on Sunday afternoon, when he took on the small awning over our door. But being the best Mr. Fixit ever (yes, hard to believe, but better than Tim the Toolman Taylor or even Al 😊), he persisted and eventually won the battle. Well, actually the awning won the battle, but I have every confidence that he’ll get it figured out and win the war. He always does.
I took on spring cleaning the sink side of the kitchen. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but it took me about five hours because I removed everything from every cupboard and drawer, decided whether to keep or pitch or donate, and then clean out all the storage spots either by sweeping or washing, or sometimes both. Bathrooms and kitchens always take the longest!
Ribs, coleslaw and beans were on the menu for dinner, and then of course, we’re still working on that brownie cake. I think we may still be working on it when we get home . . .
Monday – – – – There was more cleaning, and this time, Blaine helped wash stuff, which meant we were able to quit earlier than I expected. The cleaning job’s still not finished, but now I’m down to the bedroom and bathroom. You must be thinking that we’re really dirty scum, because it’s just a small 40’ space so how could it possibly take that long? We’re not that dirty, trust me. There’s just a lot of little nooks and crannies that need attention. Things come out, get sorted through, and get put back. Our reward for a job well done today? There were homemade Reubens and air baked fries for dinner tonight. And the ever-present brownie cake.