January 14, 2026 - Genesis 37

An unusual, perhaps, thought from this morning’s reading.  When I began these daily words, I explained that they would not be comprised of careful, verse-by-verse expositions or necessarily weighty thoughts, just the thoughts that come to me while reading.  Today’s thoughts certainly fall into this category as I read:  “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age” (37:3).  It’s sort of a given, it seems, that parents often have special fond affections for the youngest child, you know, “our baby.”  And I know that I sometimes refer to Rachel as “Babes” or “Baby.”  And, of course, she is our youngest, and with that comes certain special things.  But, you know, our oldest, Paul, and our middle, Sarah, have their special niches, also.  And Donna and I have always loved our children equally as much.  And we have loved them through all the stages of life.  I once heard a church member exclaim, “I’ll be so glad when our kids turn 18 and are out of the house!”  Really?!?!?!  What a terrible sentiment that is.  On the other hand, Solomon got it right:  “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3).  And, whether we are blessed with little ones as moms and dads or aunts and uncles, we rejoice in the little ones around us.  There is lots to deal with in these Joseph stories but, for now, may I just say how grateful I am for all our children, ours and the many Baxter children!

Jesus loves a little child,

Smiling in its childish glee;

Says of such in accents mild,

“Let them come to me.”

Let them come, forbid them not,

They will sing around the throne;

Millions now are singing there,

Millions more may come.   -- W. Bennett (1872)