A Servant's Heart

As Moms, we usually have a mindset to serve all the time. Our focus is less upon our own needs and more upon the needs of our family. It's not easy, but it's worth it to have a servant's heart. When God looks upon this labor of love, He does not leave us feeling weak and low. In reliance upon Him, He gives us strength and raises us up! This is what happened when Joseph's brothers finally submitted themselves as servants to Pharaoh:

"They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen. And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee: The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle."
Genesis 47:4‭-‬6.

What an honor! And all because they approached Pharaoh as humble servants. Before entering the room with Pharaoh, Joseph said:

"And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians." Genesis 46:33‭-‬34. Shepherds were not able to dwell in Egypt. So, Joseph explained they'd have to dwell in Goshen, which was right nextdoor. Now Joseph could have repeated the unhealthy family tradition of deceiving Pharaoh of their occupation so they could dwell in Egypt, but instead, he realized how blessed they all were to just be alive, together, and have food to live. And then Pharaoh lets them rule over his cattle too!

Joseph never participated in the pattern of deception. Remember, he had great integrity and was tried & true. Now, his whole family was on the same page. "And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families." Genesis 47:12. Even in the high-ranking position Joseph had, and even though his family's occupation was shepherding, he nourished them. He never forgot them. He SERVED them!

Joseph did not let his position distract him from God's purpose in his life. He did not let his servant's heart be ripped out because of negative experiences. And now, this pattern was spreading through his entire family.

Even with all the nourishment Joseph was able to supply, Israel was very old and was close to death. Joseph took his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to get blesses by his father Israel. The right hand was to go upon the oldest, and the left upon the younger. But God allowed Israel to see things a little differently (although he was blind at this point!). Israel put his right hand upon the younger, Ephraim:

"And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations." Genesis 48:18‭-‬19.

Just as the elder served the younger with Israel (formerly Jacob) and his brother Esau, this pattern continued with Joseph's sons as well. It's all about serving, even if it puts us in humbling positions which aren't easy. Even Joseph was confused about this blessing and tried to change it, but ultimately, you can't change God's Will! You can only be a part of it!

Continue to serve, even when it's not easy. God will bless every motherly sacrifice we make. Just remember to reach out to God! If we don't reach out to our God who's always there for us, we will think we are all alone. Think about the days when Joseph was in prison! He could have forgotten God and all his dreams. But he held on, and his whole family was restored unto him!

Whatever the struggle, having a servant's heart is worth it in the end!