Growth is the name of the processes that are at work in a living thing that sustains it’s life. Many of those processes are out of sight like the act of producing chlorophyl that a plant does. Or the movement of oxygen in blood to the far reaches of a body.

Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, and he was born into a family stressed by favoritism, intrigue, and competition. Joseph was also the favorite son of Jacob because he was the first son born to Rachel, Jacob’s second but favorite wife. Therein lies the problem.

I can only imbibe a certain amount of television “news,” especially the kind that daily serves up the same brew even though it is poured out in different kinds of cups. After I got over the novelty of the “Yellowstone” mug and the “I’m allergic to morning mug,” I realized it was still the same drink every time.

I discovered that the monotonous diet was producing in me a huge sense of despondency and resignation. Hopelessness even.