Putting Down Roots
Putting Down Roots
A few years ago while visiting my parents' home I found that they had moved the old cedar chest out to the confines of the barn. Opening the lid, I was immediately ushered back to the past by the assorted contents contained in this wooden time capsule. Pictures, cards and letters, an old Bible, and what do you know, my old report cards?! Remember those early, elementary school report cards where the teachers would write remarks instead of grades? My curiosity was piqued. Opening, them I found the following evaluations: "Laurence needs to spend more time reading and paying attention" wrote one teacher. "Laurence is too easily distracted." "Laurence has a hard time focusing on the subject at hand." "Laurence sometimes appears to be in another world, I wonder if..." I would have kept reading but it was getting kind of boring. Now what were we talking about? Oh yeah, history. Family history. I know that if you have children you think of them every day but do you ever consider your great, great grandkids? Isaiah records God's idea of family history thusly: "As for Me," says the Lord, "this is My covenant with them: My spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," say the Lord, "from this time and forevermore."
It would appear that our responsibility to build a foundation for godliness extends beyond our immediate family to generations not yet born. We are in a sense the forefathers of our tribe. They are to be influenced by the timeless covenant we are experiencing now. We are essentially making ripples in the fabric of time by which they will be affected. What an opportunity! What a responsibility!
How can this be done? To start with, we must first keep this responsibility before us. The Israelites were commanded by God to have reminders always before them regarding this truth. Jehovah knew that one of the dominant traits of humankind is forgetfulness. This is proven by the fact that the message of the prophets almost always contained the woe, "you have forgotten the Lord your God," or "You did not remember the works of the Lord..." What may be important here is the memorization of such verses as Deuteronomy 6:1-9 or Joshua 24: 14-15 for the purpose of reminding us of our duty.
Another suggestion that may prove helpful in our efforts to secure a history of righteous living for our children's' children would be historical documents. This could include a well worn Bible with all the underlining, side notes, and old orders of worship slid between the pages revealing a life long dependence and respect for the Word of God. A journal recording spiritual reflections, written prayers, and messages to the family would have a significant impact on the generations to come. This would enable them to experience something precious few of us will ever have - a chance to know something substantial about our ancestors. Books are great to pass down. A library representing a life long pursuit by a patriarch or matriarch to know God would definitely have a better chance of godly influence than a china pattern or Persian rug. Old letters, notes and cards hold a strong appeal. First, because everyone likes to read other people's mail! But when it is an ancestor's, well, then it is OK and still as interesting. If this old correspondence contained the sharing of ideas, the praise to God for answered prayers, the godly counsel to an inquirer, or a thank you for unselfish hospitality, the reader is introduced to a life that shined for God. The effect cannot be calculated. Think about what you can leave behind.
Family traditions are probably the most time resilient efforts that can be started with the goal of molding a family's' history. Consider reevaluating your Christmas celebrations with this in mind. Perhaps Thanksgiving should be more than the big meal, the big game and the big nap. Think about exalting Reformation day from its present obscurity to a day of reflection and story telling. Ascension Day could be a family calendared event. And please, if your Easter must include chicks, bunnies and eggs, I have a wonderful recipe for a meat pie. Let us all stop the nonsense of mixing cutesy residual fertility rites with the resurrection day of our Lord!
Household worship is another requisite if we plan on influencing our children, much less the next generation. The frequent gathering of the family to read the Scriptures, sing hymns and spiritual songs, and to pray is not only an exercise in obedience to our Lord but creates an impression on the hearts and minds of our children that will never be forgotten and by the grace of God will be carried on.
But of course, the most important historical influence that you will have on your posterity is your life as it relates to God. The more you seek to glorify God and enjoy Him throughout your life, the more you will impact those who live with you now and those who will follow. Without the life that desires to know God and to unreservedly serve Him, the rest of my suggestions are in vain. Israel found this out when there arose a generation that did not know God, soon after their entrance into the Promised Land with all the accompanying prosperity. Oh, they knew about God, but the difference between acquaintance and relationship is one that alters history.
Consider these things for the sake of your children, grandchildren, and the generations beyond. We have been discussing an area of obedience. We must realize that our failures do not effect us alone. As individual as we may think we are, the fact remains that our obedience or disobedience has historic repercussions.