Today's Lesson comes from Genesis 25:
"27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob."
Favoritism in the household is a lot easier to see from the outside than it is from the inside. Our children are all different. Some have interests and avocations which are near and dear to our own hearts while their brother's or sister's passions may be a bit more far afield from our own. Let's be honest; some of our kids' interests are light years from our own.
Henri Nouwen said hospitality is opening a space for the other to be himself or herself. Parenthood is an act of hospitality. In the act of parenting we invite our our children into our lives and give them the freedom to be who they are - and not just who we wish they would be. We reach out in loving relationship toward them and seek to be present to them where they are - and not just where we wish they would be.
Perhaps the saddest thing I've heard a father day is, "I just don't relate." On the other hand, one of the most hopeful things I've heard a father say is, "What's your Barbie's name?"
Isaac couldn't relate with his son Jacob. Isaac was an outdoorsman - a man's man. His first-born son Esau was the same. Isaac's second son Jacob was more interior - he liked to stay indoors and help around the house. When it came time for Isaac to give his blessing, Jacob had to steal it. This was of course the source of terrible conflict among the boys and great heartache for the family.
I wonder if all that heartache might not have been spared if Isaac had thought to offer two blessings - one to Esau and another to Jacob. One to the son he was more naturally close to and the second to the son who was more distant. Both blessings would have required reaching out; but the second would have required reaching a little further.
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