“Finally, Jacob made it back home to his father Isaac at Mamre in Kiriath Arba, present-day Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac had lived. Isaac was now 180 years old. Isaac breathed his last and died—an old man full of years. He was buried with his family by his sons Esau and Jacob”. (Genesis 35:28-29 – The Message)
My side of the family is complicated. A death in the family can make things more complicated. My sister Jane’s two sons have been estranged for 5 years, and there were disagreements about if Jane’s ashes should be buried, and if so where. Up to the time that the Celebration of Life was scheduled to start, I had concerns that something would interfere with the service. Despite intermittent heavy rains, and one son arriving 45 minutes late due to Uber issues the sun came out at just the right moment, and all three of Jane’s children walked forward to place the urn in the grave.
I was reminded of the lovely story in Genesis when the sons of Isaac, though estranged for decades, came together to bury their father. “Jacob,” so the Bible tells us, “Made it back home.” He and Esau put aside their differences, at least for a time, in response to love and respect for their parent. As I watched what was happening, I saw the same movement of God’s love and grace still at work in the hearts of the hurting.
May that love and grace continue bring us all home ~ Anne
Wayfinding 