Every summer we take our kids camping and hiking in the Smoky Mountains. I always look forward to this special week, but my children’s complaining never fails. “It’s too hard.” “Why do you make us hike?” “Can’t we just go to the pool?”
We have them make the trek anyway, step-by-step. We persevere through burning thighs, sibling bickering, and pauses to catch our breath. But then (after what feels like years) we reach the top, and we breathe widely. We pull out the granola bars, oranges, and beef jerky—and soak in the majestic views.
“Wow. This is cool,” my children say. I smile. The climb is excruciating, but the result is glorious.
Difficult hiking seems like a metaphor for life. Such was the case for Joseph from the pages of Genesis.
Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slave and lied to their father for years (Genesis 37:18–36). Their treachery forced Joseph to persevere through forced labor, imprisonment, and living as an immigrant in a distant land (Genesis 39–40).
But by God’s mercy and providence through Joseph’s excruciating pain of betrayal and servitude, God blessed the work of Joseph’s hands to provide food for multitudes during a widespread famine.
I imagine Joseph looked at those under his command as they distributed grain. Maybe he locked eyes with a desperate mother hoping to bake bread for her starving children. Maybe Joseph stood on the roof of the palace and breathed in a sense of humble pride as he watched droves of people caravan to grain centers, the storage houses Joseph led Egyptians to build during years of plenty.
Regardless of the exact details, Joseph saw the hand of God on the mountaintop of life after persevering the excruciating climb.
So when Joseph’s father died and his brothers asked for mercy for how they treated him, Joseph replied, “You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people. Therefore don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children” (Genesis 50:20–21). In Joseph’s heart, there was no room for retaliation. God used his painful journey to bring about miraculous provision for nations in years of famine.
I relate to Joseph in some ways. I’ve been through more than a decade of deeply painful situations. Life has not turned out the way I imagined, and I’ve struggled with resentment. Bitterness. Unforgiveness.
But over the past few years, I’ve begun to see God’s glory from my pain. He’s changing me through it and using me to do work for His kingdom I never imagined possible. I see that God’s ways are higher than mine and He works all things out for the good—even when it looks completely different than I might choose (Isaiah 55:8–9, Romans 8:28–30).
Where are you on your own treacherous journey of life? In the middle of difficulty with burning thighs and shallow breath? Hold on. The view of God’s faithfulness is glorious from the top.
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88 thoughts on "Joseph’s Kindness"
AMEN. Thank you God for your relentless love and mercy. Thank you for refining me and shaping me as you see fit.
What an incredible story of Joseph’s life! I love how God provided grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness!
Praying for you all today. Happy Friday!
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The story of Joseph’s life is and will forever be, one of my favorites! It is so filled with God’s grace, mercy and love. His goodness, protection and providence.
It has so much content. It has been a blessing to read through it once again and to be reminded that God’s ways are not my ways and that all things work together for good to those who love God and called for His purpose. It reminds me that it is good to forgive and not hold grudges and to always give glory to God, don’t try and take credit when it belongs to Him.
It has been a great study. Looking forward to our next one!
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Have a blessed evening. Remembering your requests in prayer. You are loved. ❤️
Sharon, I love the story of Joseph too. And like you this study of Genesis has reiterated and reminded me of who Father God was, is and will always be..
Much love to you my dear..❤️
I have dealt with some challenges and hard times in my life. In many ways I feel like I am on the mountain top of God’s blessing. I am finding, though that on the mountain top there are other difficulties. Sometimes honestly, it’s harder to put God first when you have so many blessings. Sometimes you forget him and life gets complicated. I’ve been praying that I can just focus more on Jesus, the giver of every perfect gift.
I had forgotten how beautiful the book of Genesis was. It was awesome to revisit! God is great!
The story of Joseph’s life and imagery of climbing mountain made me think of one of my favorite books: Hinds Feet on High Places. The climb was so difficult – Much Afraid’s companions were sorrow and suffering. But the Good Shepherd would return when she called out to Him. She picked up stones of remembrance at every crisis of belief – for who did she have besides Him? When they reached the High Places their names were changed and her body was healed – but she wasn’t allowed to remain there. She was instructed to go back to the valley to make a difference in all her “Fearings” family.
I have come through many crises of belief – but who do I have but Him?
I am in one now but know that He is working even when I don’t see it. He is with me. He is making my way successful in ministry even when I feel like I am in prison.
I know God is conforming me into image of his Son. May I have heart of trust like Joseph to stay constant in faith and service to others and forgiving of all who have wronged me.
I’m thankful for each of you who are transparent in your ups and downs of life. You are all such an encouragement! I’m thankful for your prayer support and care for one another. What a wonderful community of faith!!!
Right you are, Grammie D!
God has placed us here to help smooth the rough patches we all face.
❤️ this Grammie D..
I have read Genesis many times but oh boy was I filled, broken, rejoicing during this study. Thank you SRT team for all the hard work you put into this project. I have seen and experience so much hardship in my short span of life. Before Jesus everything was overwhelming to the point of me attempting to take my life. But GOD had other plans. With Jesus the hardships are still overwhelming but knowing I have YHWH, Jesus and the Holy Spirit who are for me, with me I can praise in the storm. “ GOD intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done” that is valuable to remember in all trials!! GOD will always use it for good. Walk in knowing who’s you are and His plan is always better than yours. Shalom!
Shalom, sweet Claudia..❤️
Praise God Claudia!
Thank you, CLAUDIA, for sharing your victory! ❤ Numbers 6:24-26.
Hello Shes
I found inexpressible beauty, goodness & truth in these closing chapters of Genesis. And the morning devotional.
Jacob’s prophecies & last request. The brothers’ final confession & cry for mercy. Joseph’s once more tears & manifold forgiveness. Joseph’s death & honor. God’s protection & salvation of a chosen people.
All of it, all of it, beyond human ways & means, or even imagination.
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God is always at work for our good! We can’t always see it but it comes back to trusting Him to work it out!
Loved everyone’s comments praying for all!
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Biblegateway verse of the day:
“You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.”
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From Warren Wiersbe:
“Jacob’s last words are a revelation of human character and conduct as well as of divine purposes. Three of the sons learned that their past conduct had cost them their future inheritance (vv. 3–7), for we always reap what we sow. But something else was true: Jacob’s prophetic words must have given great encouragement to his descendants during their difficult time of suffering in Egypt, as well as during their unhappy years wandering in the wilderness. Jacob assured each tribe of a future place in the Promised Land, and that meant a great deal to them.
In Jacob’s “last witness and testimony” we see a beautiful revelation of the gracious Lord who had cared for His servant for so many years. There’s also a revelation of the Messiah, who had been promised to Jacob’s people. In these words of Jacob, you meet Shiloh (v. 10), salvation (Yeshua, v. 18), the Mighty God, the Shepherd, and the Stone of Israel (v. 24), and the Almighty (v. 25 …
Genesis 49:25 NLT
May the God of your father help you; may the Almighty bless you with the blessings of the…
), all of which point to our Savior, Jesus Christ. …
As Genesis draws to a close, Jacob gathers his sons for his final words of instruction and blessing. He addresses each of his sons with perceptive and prophetic comments. He foreshadows the way in which his sons will together form the nation that will bear the special name God had given him—Israel.”
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WHAT A BLESSING IT HAS BEEN TO STUDY THROUGH GENESIS WITH YOU SISTERS! Thank you all for the deep sharing from your hearts! Thank you SRT STAFF for once again knocking it out of the park! ❤
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I will share this old hymn in parting:
THE UNSEEN HAND
There is a hand, unseen by me,
That leads through ways I cannot see;
While going through this world of woe,
This hand still leads me as I go.
Refrain:
I’m trusting in the unseen hand
That guides me through this weary land;
And some sweet day I’ll reach that strand,
Still guided by the unseen hand.
2 His hand has led through shadows drear,
And while it leads, I have no fear;
I know ’twill lead me to that home
Where sin and sorrow ne’er can come. [Refrain]
3 I long to see my Savior’s face
And sing the story “Saved by Grace,”
And there upon that golden strand,
I’ll praise Him for His guiding hand. [Refrain]
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Thanks Cee Gee for the insights of Warren Wiersbe. The first three truly received rebuke more than blessings for the evil they have done.
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Genesis 49 feels a little unsettling for me. Yes, it starts with, “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen….” but, whether true or not, it feels like a lot of harsh words overshadow the words of blessing as we know it. The honesty feels a bit cold for a deathbed conversation. I’m not sure being referred to as a raw boned donkey, a serpent and viper on the roadside, one who no longer excels, having weapons on violence and cursed, just to name a few are among the words I would want to hear as “blessing” from my father. Yikes. But, in amongst this chapter we also see more foreshadowing of Christ with “Lion of Judah (vs9) “garmets washed in wine (vs11)”. Even in these words that I view as unpleasant, the good promise of what is to come are also there. The best words are saved for Joseph and then his kindness and forgiveness continues to extend to his brothers and are too, such an example of Jesus. The Lord used Joseph’s journey up his symbolic mountain to know and experience the beautiful Sovereign, faithfulness of our God. God works through our sorrow, our suffering, our pain in ways that we can’t see.
As we wrap up Genesis we have read over and over how the Lord’s hand is constant in all things and how He desires for us to walk in His ways. His ways, His thoughts that are best are beyond my (our) understanding but He is at work and my heart needs to know Him, abide in Him and seek Him. Thanks be to God❤️
Gen. 49
These are strange blessings. Judah’s and Joseph’s seem to be the best ones. Which is interesting as it was Judah’s idea to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelite traders (37:26-27). The first three brothers don’t seem to get blessings at all.
Another thing I find interesting is that Jacob wants to be buried with Leah. Granted it’s probably moreso that he wants to be buried with his parents and grandparents, but he had also buried Leah there, not Rachel.
Gen. 50
Jacob must have had some kind of impact on the Egyptians, either that or their mourning for Jacob was out of a deep respect for Joseph.
Yep, Mama of 6!
The Bible can be full of curiosities & contradictions & craziness. ‘Cause it’s His ways, His thoughts.
True, I thought they were all kinda strange as well. And that Judah got the best..is weird too. Thank you Gwineth for saying it doesn’t always have to make sense. I think I get so used to commentaries explaining everything.
So grateful for the example Joseph sets for those of us who have experienced abuse & pain at the hands of family. It is so hard to forgive at times, but God works in us & through us no matter the circumstance. It is all for His Glory!!
❤️. For His Glory!
The view of God’s faithfulness is glorious from the top! GREAT way to end this BEAUTIFUL study in Genesis! LOVED it so much! My favorite was the last few chapters as read about Joseph. I mentioned earlier this week that he seemed to be a very sweet guy and the title of this mornings devotion is evident of just that! When we read earlier how we wept loudly and everyone heard just broke my mama’s heart! What a sweet and kind boy! And his kindness was extended to his brothers even though he was betrayed, Joseph knew God had used that betrayal for God’s Kingdom and did not hold a grudge! Joseph is a GREAT example of a what forgiveness can look like even when it hurts so much! We weren’t promised a pain-free life here on earth BUT look forward to someday meeting JESUS face-to-face and all the painful things of this world will be forgotten. We will no longer remember them. They won’t even come to mind. I can’t wait! Happy Friday sweeties!
Amen ❤️
Amen! Something to constantly remember…my life is for God’s glory, however that shall look!
Todays lesson made me feel emotional. God has blessed me with working through my pain. I started craving Him more and more. I also became more bold in sharing my faith. Being aware of how my behavior affects others. Am I being a good example of a christian or not. I still mess up, but I know exactly who I belong to. And that brings me joy.
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I definitely definitely needed to read and remember this. We’ve been struggling through, our finances have been rough, hard….but I have seen God’s faithfulness. I have seen His goodness. I know He will see us and bring us through. This is not the end…we are in the middle somewhere. He will lead us and guide us!
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I like today devotional because I have often wondered why people don’t refer to “the challenging mountain climb” much- you always hear that there will be valleys and mountaintops! But most of the time we seem to be trudging up, out of breath, burning thighs, in the challenge of life! Or perhaps spiraling down, rolling and crashing into trees and rocks on the way down?! lol.
Mountaintops take effort to get there! Right? You usually don’t get the glorious view without some hiking. I laughed how she talked of her kids complaining and arguing on the hike. That is what I seem to get from trying to take my child when younger, or the nieces and nephews, and now the grandkids. Not much adventure or “work” wanting to be done from them. They want to just hangout where they are. How are they learning to “get stronger in the battle,” or “perseverance in the Storm?” I don’t know. Hard work seems to be a thing of the past. We want things handed to us with no effort. Is that my posture to the Lord. Just pray and expect? Not doing anything for him…just asking always? Praying and never listening or hearing? Yes, for sure. But now, thankfully the Lord IS the center of my life, thinking on what He has for me, and trying to do it. Walking with Him up the mountains, on the top, spiraling down, and in the valleys. Lord, I surrender…I surrender all to you.
This study of Genesis has been so edifying! Seeing God’s hand in their lives as they are on their walks, through the twists and turns has been so good for me. He is there when we don’t see Him, but always making a way! The song “Make A Way” by Elevation Worship is a favorite!
You reminded me of this song:
Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us
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Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You’ve done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us
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Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
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“Never Once” by Matt Redman
❤️such beautiful words..
Love you Mercy..❤️
I love this! The view of Gods faithfulness from the top truly is stunning. God, give us grace for the climb where we are struggling. Help us to remember your faithfulness to us in the past as we face fears and difficulties. ❤️
Hello, sisters— haven’t commented in a while but still here. We have had the dreaded flu making its way through the house for the past week and a half, myself included. But it looks like we are on the other side of it now, and slowly starting to recover. Wishing everyone a beautiful weekend!
Glad to hear you’re coming to the good, Maria B.
Now don’t overtax yourself trying to play catch-up, you hear!!
Glad you are making progress on the recovery front..
Keep getting better..❤️
I don’t know about anyone else, but I have dipped in and out of Genesis over the course of 30+ years. I have never read the entire book and I am so glad I did! There were so many blessings that I uncovered from the start of creation until Joseph forgives his brothers and sees that God has brought about the survival of so many through him. I am so grateful to God and to SRT for giving me the opportunity to understand and know him better every day. I am especially grateful that heaven is higher than earth, his ways are higher than my ways, and his thoughts than my thoughts. ❤️
Also, I was kind of appalled and slightly amused at Israel’s deathbed ‘blessings’. I think we’re a polite society and expect that the deathbed will be a source of kind parting words. Can you imagine being Reuben? Brutal.
I thought the same thing! Like, Wow- that is rather brutal to hear!
Agreed! Not what one wants to hear :/
I did think thst too..
Absolutely brutal..❤️
When times are tough (and they are at the moment) I like to review God’s faithfulness throughout my life. Sometimes I don’t want to remember because I want to sit in my bitterness and anger of my current circumstances, but when I force myself to truly look at God’s goodness, my perspective changes. He has been so good and He continues to be.
So to the point, Libby K!!
Amen
I needed help on understanding these last words and ‘blessings’ proclaimed by Jacob – Enduring Word’s commentary on chapter 49 was helpful.
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And I wonder what my dad might have said to his children had he known the end was near. That tremendous loss still feels fresh even though a few years have passed.
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WENDY – thank you for the mention of Still Waters song
TERESA DONLEY ❤️ – thank you for the update on your daughter as we continue to pray for her through the treatment. And I connected with ‘all too often I’m that one He has to leave the 99 to go chasing after.’
MERCY – thank you for the reminder of acting responsibly with our gifts ❤️
CEE GEE – ❤️ thanks!
LISA H – praying for your daughter, that she will see her need and turn to the Lord. And thank you to KELLY (NEO) for requesting the update!
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LYNNE FROM AL – praying!
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I definitely second reading the commentary on the Enduring Word app. All of the “blessings” had a purpose and some still to be fulfilled.
❤ Thanks for sharing about your dad! Hugs, sister; love you!
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SEARCHING – thank you!!
What a beautiful thought for today…hold on because the view is glorious from the top. I so needed that reminder❤️
I was thinking your comment at the exact same time. May the Lord renew our thoughts today via this reflection
As we leave Genesis, the people of God are small in number and are “safe” in a foreign land. As God promised Abraham, they would be there a while! (Gen. 15:13-16)
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Sometimes the places the Lord leads us to or through seem so far away from “home” yet the time is for our growth.
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Praying for your requests ❤️
Kelly (NEO), just wanted to pop on to say I responded yesterday to you!
Blessings!
Yes, Kelly (NEO)
“Home” is where the heart of God is.
And there we wish to remain.
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What a beautiful devotional this morning. This portion of Genesis is so inspiring, seeing forgiveness in action like this. Again, Joseph’s character really shows. And as I read Jacob’s blessing of his sons, I thought, wow, Jacob has come a long way too. So much more faith and trust in the Lord, so much more wisdom from God than he had at the beginning of his story. Reminds me that we are on a journey, and even when we make dumb mistakes by not trusting God, we still have time to surrender, mature, and keep persevering with the Lord at our side.
I loved the devotional because it spoke to where I am in life. I felt like the valley I was walking through (or the mountain I was climbing) was high and steep and was taking a long time to get to the top. But I do feel like I am at the top (at least for now), breathing in that fresh mountain air and basking in the goodness of God, who carried me up the mountain and was with me the whole time. I don’t want to take this blessing for granted. I am treasuring it. God has matured me. My faith is stronger. My trust is deeper. And I can forgive the pain and say thank you, Lord, for bringing me through.
When I was early into dealing with the hurt and betrayal of my husband’s affair, a wise person who was counseling us said to me, someday you will thank God for this because through it you will see the glory of God. At the time, I never would have believed that. But now, standing at the top of the mountain, I do thank God, for the fact that His ways are higher than mine. That His ways are greater than mine. And that He knew that healing in my marriage would come through this terrible situation. It’s not that this is God’s perfect plan for our lives. I don’t believe for a second that God wanted me to go through this, just like I believe He mourns for all the heartache and sadness we go through. But He is working with imperfect humans, who mess up and hurt each other and get it wrong. Yet He still works out His plan, in His timing.
Thanks be to God.
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Great share Laura! It’s never easy, and true, it is usually due to our own sinful choices, or others, But God! He makes a way to work it out bringing us out stronger when we hold steadfast in him! Sometimes it’s the devil- probably so happy in his evil plans to destroy- But God turned it around! Love that we can then share our testimonies! Especially to your kids!
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I am so very thankful for this verse from Isaiah 55:8-9 today..
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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.
(Praising God, for that declaration)
9 “For as heaven is higher than earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
(I feel the feet tapping in glorious praise, so very grateful)
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God’s ways are not my ways.. His bestest plans to prosper me are oftentimes not the plans I have thought out for me .. His plans may take longer than mine, impatient, as I am, I will move the goalposts of my life to suit me! Instead of waiting on the Lord, I forge forward, blind, and hopeless, because I would like the outcome yesterday..
More fool me!
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BUT GOD..
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BUT GOD..
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Dear Wonderful, loving, forgiving, on time, God, He knows my/our weaknesses, our sorrows, our hurts, our pain, our dreams..the hikes and difficult climbs of our lives, And though we may force them along, or try to change the course of our lives, we may move them in our haste to do life our way.. His desire to give us the best and see us through to His plans to prosper us, and give us HIS best, are often way laid for our own idea of ‘best/better for me’
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Life does indeed throw us lemons,
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BUT GOD..
He has a recipe to make those lemons into wonderful lemon drizzle cake, delicious lemon mousse, thirst quenching lemonade.. My favourite is chocolate covered lemon mousse delights!
The thing is we may face life in the sour, the sharp, or the bitter..
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BUT GOD..
He can change all that, I/we just need to hold on, trusting the one true PROMISE keeper. The FAITHFUL One, who is so very faithful. We have nothing to lose, holding on to Him and His faith-filled Word, covered in much grace, hope and love, Every day of our lives, until to the end of time..
He knows.
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He sees.
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He will works our hardships for good.
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He is faithful. Always has been, always will be!
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I will praise the Lord my God, for His constant love, and care, because, even when I don’t see it, He is working for my/our betterment.. Always.!
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AMEN.
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Happy Friday! Praying you well, and hopeful you will see His goodness and faithfulness in your day, today.
I send much love and hugs across the pond, this chilly, chilly morning!
Blessings.
Tina.❤
So many good points, Tina ❤️ What if we did wait on the Lord? No, we say, He’s taking so long! But when we fill in the wait time getting in His way by, as you pointed out, moving, forcing and/or changing things – have we sped up things or delayed them?
And those yummy sweets you mentioned would pair well with my cup of coffee this morning! :) love you ❤️
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Tina…I am here every morning reading along with all of you but never posting. I love and learn so much from you sharing your stories and wisdom. Thank you for always sharing your heart ❤️
KELLY L- Thank you for posting with us today! ❤
Thank you Kelly L.❤️
Blessings sweet sister!
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Thank you Tina ❤️
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Hey Tina
All you said is true.
And making we crave those lemons!!
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Amen and Amen Tina! …I am very interested in hearing more about these — chocolate covered lemon mousse delights! :-) ❤️
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