Genesis 35-36

Sometimes it is good to take a break, look around and take account of where you've been and where you are now. Genesis 35 and 36 give that feel. The writer takes a breather and winds down the narrative at this point. There has been so much action taking place in the previous chapters, that the writer stops, pausing to regroup, restate, and lay the foundations for the narrative that will soon follow. Here we had genealogies listed and family members recounted. It brought a close to the relationship between Jacob and Esau (for now at least) and sets the stage presently for the relationship and interactions between Israel (Jacob) and his kids (13, 12 sons). Finally after 20+ years, Israel has come back home to the land of his father. The situation is completely new, and the stage is set for the next generation of Israel's history.

We are still not far removed from the beginning of the new year. Just as the writer in Genesis does here, did you have the chance to stop and take notice of where you've been and where you are right now?

The "where you've been." Lots of things probably happened last year. (I know that I am no exception to that!) If you haven't had time to take a breather, stop for a couple minutes and think back on the changes and events of last year. For my family the list is pretty long. We built a house, quit full-time teaching and nursing positions, moved from city life to country life, took new jobs, sold a house, changed churches, moved in with in-laws, and watched our children grow with almost daily change. What has happened with you? Hopefully it hasn't been as crazy as ours. But even if your list seems a little shorter it's only because you're probably trying to list only the monumental events of last year. But there were certainly even daily events and circumstances that brought changes.

The "where you are now." This is a little different than the last category because it focuses not on the changes and events which occurred last year, but on the new situation you find your family in at this very moment as a result of last year's changes. What's going on now? What effects have resulted from your "adventures" last year, or even, like Jacob, the past 20 years?

Taking notice and evaluating our lives offers us the chance to establish our current baseline. It provides the platform from which we will springboard into the next "narrative" of our lives. It also lets us actively prepare for the future so that we may plan to grow in areas we are weak, strengthen relationships we realize are waning, and plan according with our resources to accomplish new heights in community and depth with our Creator.

I'm glad the writer of Genesis stops. He set a good example for all of us to follow.