Our oldest grandson has reached twenty-one. We are reflecting on the years since we took that first walk behind his father carrying him to the hospital nursery. The realization that we were now officially grandparents. That walk was a right of passage for us just as his twenty-first birthday is for him.
We experience the wonderful moments that cause us to reflect on our walk through life. There is a misconception that if you don’t find yourself listed among the wealthiest on the planet, didn’t build a world acclaimed structure, don’t own a chain of successful businesses…You haven’t been successful. Wrong!
There is something more important than wealth. Something all can claim as a success in life. Did those children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters, brothers, friends and neighbors hear anything from us about Jesus. Did or do they know where we stand on Jesus? Our country is at a crossroads. Do they know which fork of the road we would take? Have they heard from us about the time we accepted Christ? Have they heard from us about the storms along the journey when God showed up to carry us. The nights of decision when we felt the presence of Jesus as if He was sitting right beside us in the valley?
If we don’t speak up and tell them the part Christ has played in our lives they will hear other stories. They will be deceived into falling for the “salvation” of the world. They will reach crossroads in their life just as we have. Will they choose the harder road or will they be happy taking the road of the world that leads to destruction?
Slowly, history is changing or even being removed from age old records. One day some of the most important events in history will be lost to new generations. Our history is priceless. It is the record of our life. If we don’t share it , it too will soon fade.
The photo I chose for this article, is of me and my cousin. We were in our grandparents back yard. When I see this photo, I am reminded of a grandmother who took both of us to church with her. The grandmother who lived her faith in God before her grandchildren. The grandmother who had struggles that she overcame with Jesus at her side. A grandmother who was quick to give God the glory in all things. Had she not shared her life and Jesus with us? It was life changing testimony. An example to try to pattern life by.
~Thought For Today~
The world has the ability to erase the history of just about everything except one. Ours. They cannot change the documentation of our personal history. Write it down, tell the young ones of your journey. Tell them about the great victorious moments when you were on the mountaintops of life. Everything was good. Don’t protect them from the times when the world pulled you away and showed you a dark side of life. The difficult days when choices had to be made. The times when sorrow touched us. The event that convinced us that there is life after death and the need to prepare for that eternal life. Tell them the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus. There is nothing more important than to tell them. Who will tell them? Who will guide them? Who will they follow? This is one subject where “silence is NOT golden.” Discussing eternal life is not something we should ever keep silent about. The time in which we live is not the time for silence.
~Scripture For Today~
John 1:40-42
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). 42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). (NLT)
Colossians 4:6
6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.(NLT)
John 9:8-11
8 His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!” But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!” 10 They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?” 11 He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!” (NLT)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! We kneel before You today. Our Holy God. The God of the Universe. We pray for boldness and courage to tell our stories to the young and old alike. Especially those You have entrusted to our own families. Our children and grandchildren, our family and friends, our neighbors and co-workers. We pray that we document our history walking with You and our relationship with Jesus. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.