This morning as I continue my read through Genesis, I can so relate to this amazing recounting by Moses. His generational timeline of the lives and lineage is so personally inspirational, a litany of nuance which paints the providence and provision of God, long before his massive leadership challenge began.
Maybe your story is not as grand as Moses' but we all have such stories, individually and collectively. What we make of our heritage is somewhat our choice, but even among those most driven, their story if told with transparency is an amalgam of their own attempts, along with an unmerited favor, salted into their lives along the way.
Too often the value of that grace is only fully realized long into the journey, otherwise our lives would likely have exuded much more gratitude and far less arrogance along the way.
My own life, now appoaching my 76th birthday is no exception, though the last 50 years have truly been privileged when I compare my journey with others of similar blue collar heritage, at least from my perspective. Thus the appeal of Joseph's story never grows old.
"As it turned out, God was with Joseph and things went very well with him. He ended up living in the home of his Egyptian master. His master recognized that God was with him, saw that God was working for good in everything he did. He became very fond of Joseph and made him his personal aide. He put him in charge of all his personal affairs, turning everything over to him. From that moment on, God blessed the home of the Egyptian—all because of Joseph. The blessing of God spread over everything he owned, at home and in the fields, and all Potiphar had to concern himself with was eating three meals a day.  Joseph was a strikingly handsome man." Genesis 39:2-6a MSG.
Since the days of my earliest memories (easily first grade) I have always enjoyed life, loved my friends and cherished our stories together.
My wife has heard most all of them though she is suspect of some; "embellished" is the word she sometimes uses to describe my tendencies. I try to be a truth teller, it just sounds too phenomenal for most! Favor will take you there!
Yes, my life has been good, save a few years in my late teens and early twenties, prodigal years, though fortunately cut short by God's great mercies, then rapidly restored and continually favored. Yes, I am using that word too often, trust me, any description on my part, of life's blessings seems, if anything is under-embellished.
At the risk of sounding arrogant, opportunities for leadership and true catalytic impact have repeatedly presented themselves over the years. Hopefully those with whom I have served, like Joseph's Potiphar, have been blessed by my "second fiddle" support and visionary encouragement.
I can truly attest to that felt mantle of calling, whether in my years in education, ministry or municipal leadership.
God has been good to me!
Hope you have a great day