Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Today's reading titled First Forgive was written by Patricia Rabin.

We called ourselves Sisters in Christ, but my white friend and I had begun to act like enemies. Over a

cafe breakfast one morning, we argued unkindly over our differing racial views. Then we parted,

with me vowing not to see her again. One year later, however, we were hired by the same ministry,

working in the same department, unable not to reconnect. Awkwardly at first, we talked over

conflicts. Then, over time, God helped us to apologize to each other and to heal and to give the

ministry our best. God also healed the bitter division between Esau and his twin brother, Jacob,

and blessed both their lives. A one-time schemer, Jacob had robbed Esau of their

father's blessing. But 20 years later, God called Jacob to return to their homeland. So Jacob sent

ahead bountiful gifts to appease Issa.

Genesis 33, verse 4 says,

But Issa ran to meet Jacob and embraced him.

He threw his arms around his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

Their reunion stands as a classic example of God's urging to settle anger

with a brother or sister before offering our gifts, talents or treasures, to him. Instead,

Matthew 5 verse 24 instructs, first go and be reconciled to them, then come and offer your gift.

Jacob obeyed God by reconciling with Esau and later setting up an altar to the Lord. What a beautiful

order. First strive for forgiveness and reconciliation. Then, at his altar, he receives us.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from Genesis chapter 33 verses 1 through 11.

Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his 400 men.

So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants.

He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her

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