Benjamin

July 2, 2013

Genesis 35: 18  As [Rachel] breathed her last--for she was dying--she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin. 

Pastor Sheila Kelly explained this to campers at Camp Bright Star: 

You can't control people or even many circumstances. Sometimes, circumstances are awful. But God has given you the authority to control yourself. Rachel named her son, whom she died birthing, Ben-Oni-- "child of my sorrow." But Jacob, the boy's father, who could have thought of his beloved Rachel's death every time he saw their son, renamed him Ben-Amin (Benjamin). Ben-Amin means "child of my right hand." What a positive response to a tragic circumstance! You can let a sad circumstance define you, or you can rise above it. Ben-Oni? Or Ben-Amin? YOU have the authority to determine your response. 

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I am convinced Sheila delivered this morning devotion in response to a camper's struggle with homesickness the night before. According to the boy's mother, the child had never been able to stay away from home overnight since the death of his father several years ago. Despite his fear and grief, and with much pastoral support and encouragement, he DID stay overnight. The context of his fear and uncertainty the night before made this a very powerful and sensitive message the next morning.

I wonder if he realized she was speaking directly to him? Or at least it seemed so to this amazed and tearful counselor :')