I remember it as if was yesterday when I got my lovely coat! My grandma bought it for me! It was grey suede with a fur collar, and I thought it was beautiful. As a very excited second grader, I told everyone I had a “solid gold mink coat.” Being extremely proud as I walked to school the next day, I was sure that everyone noticed my wonderful coat. Happily, I even skipped along, hoping that I would be more noticeable. There might have even been singing flowing from my lips as I skipped joyfully. As I began my walk home from school, a little boy started chasing me home! Boy, that was fast, I thought. Already I have a boyfriend, and in my second-grade mind I just knew he had noticed how nice I looked in my new coat and liked me. I ran like the wind and was sure my new coat was not only beautiful but had made me run even faster. I made it home and couldn’t wait until the next day when maybe my new “boyfriend” would chase me again. As I made my way to school for the next few days, the same little boy chased me, I giggled at the thought of a boy really liking me, even though I did not know his name or even exactly what he looked like since I was always running. On about the fourth day, they ambushed me from behind and knocked to the ground. The man of my dreams shrieked “never touch my bike again” and as I lay there, he wiped his muddy shoe on my new “solid gold mink coat”. Stunned! I can remember to this day the hurt I felt, and the way I felt so embarrassed and betrayed. Doing nothing wrong, I was confused because I never touched his bike or even knew where he lived! Completely innocent of doing wrong, I stared at the monster who spewed hate! My beautiful coat would never be beautiful again with mud embedded into the soft suede. Even the faux fur had lost its previously beautiful glow because of the ugliness of that day! I don’t remember if I told anyone or what they said about my dirty coat, but this memory is still etched in my mind after all these years. 

Joseph of the Bible was one of those people who was ambushed! Oh yeah, Jacob, the Joseph’s father, gave him a special coat because he loved him so much, which was a good sign that he had not read many parenting books. But never did Joseph think his own flesh and blood would plot to kill him. But when the brothers saw him coming toward them, they planned how to kill him. After taking his “coat of many colors” they threw him down a well while they decided what to do with him. They cold-heartedly decided to sell him as a slave to some traveling merchants. Joseph’s coat was dipped in blood and the brothers told Jacob that Joseph had been killed by wild animals. 

After he was taken to Egypt he seemed to succeed in all things against all difficulties and finally was in the place God wanted him to be. There was a famine in the land and Jacob sent the brothers to get food. There they came face to face with their little brother, who had been put in charge of the food supply they so desperately needed. At first the brothers did not recognize him, but Joseph knew right away who they were. Eventually Joseph revealed himself to them and sent for his father, Jacob and his brothers to come to live near him. When Jacob died his brothers were afraid Joseph would then kill them, so they threw themselves down at Joseph’s feet and asked for his forgiveness. I love his response.

“But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done the saving of many lives.'” (Genesis 50:19-20 NIV)

God always has a plan for our lives even when we are brushing the mud from our new coat. He is always there to turn difficulties into opportunities so that we can accomplish His plan He has for us.

Did I ever forgive the little boy for ruining my “solid gold fur coat”? Well, by my estimation this little boy is probably in his seventies and probably didn’t give another thought to me or my coat but I will say I’ll never go near his bike!

Jeanie Nihiser
Volunteer and Prayer Warrior with Answers2Prayer Ministries
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)