28 Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, 29 Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.
30 Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive.” Genesis 46:28-30
Jacob gave Judah an odd request: “help me find my way to Goshen. Oh, and go ask your brother Joseph for those directions.” Jacob wanted his reunion meeting to be fantastic, and he didn’t want it to be delayed because of taking a wrong or two. There could have been more to that request but the Bible wanted us to know that Jacob was human too!
Their first meeting in Goshen was sweet. Jacob was grateful that he lived long enough to see this moment.
What more can be said. Jacob was a grateful man when it was appropriate.
Joseph too was very happy to see his father
It was a tearful reunion on both sides. It’s how reunions and get-togethers should be.
Being grateful for the loved ones in your life is not always easy to do. Time and distance pulls people apart. You probably have relatives and friends who, even though you haven’t seen each other in years, are able to begin right where you left off.
And there are the others.
Every family is different.
Every relationship is different.
Make the most of those relationships while you can, while they’re still around, while you’re still around.