Generations
My son Tom came in town for business meetings on Wednesday and finally after a late customer dinner found his landing place at our house. We were tickled to see him but had no idea when he was leaving the next day….just too short, I thought. But just before we wrapped up a great late night conversation Mel said, hey we have a tee time tomorrow any chance you could play 9 holes? Tom said I would love too but I don’t have any golf clothes. Easy fix…borrow my shoes and shirt and see if we can borrow some shorts from one of Jamie’s (daughter) boys who are pretty darn big. And while we are at it we can see if Blake, her oldest son would like to join us as well. Was worried about leaving Sam (brother) out, but remembered he had camp, so all was good. So, Friday morning we were off. And there I was, heart filled to the top, with my husband, my son and my grandson. It was a totally unexpected adventure and throughout the morning I kept thanking God for the blessing and joy of getting to be with these three guys…they represented three generations.
It got me thinking about generations. I know generations are generally about a 70 year period, but there seems to be no other catch phrase that would capture the time frame of these three but “generational”. So often we are so accustomed to our own generation that it is hard to try to put on shoes of another one, whether it is going forward or tracking backward. But each generation has something grand to offer; the young ones are energetic filled with new ideas, yet not measured in experience or maturity, and many times don’t consider the dangers that lie before them. Parents today are faced with hurdles of every height, depending in which stage their children are in, whether it is rocking little ones in their arms or pulling teenagers out of bed or juggling schedules for all ages. And then there is the silver guard, who have mellowed as time has passed and have been seasoned by life experiences. No matter where you land in generations, God is always working to help us grow, nurture us so that we can become more like him, and comfort us and sustain us through the trials that he has allowed to come before us.
It is hard to understand the mentality, struggles, society issues, and the changing forums that each generation has faced or are facing. In these crazy changing times, God has given us tools to be able to stand on His steady ground and trust His sovereignty. There is a risk of losing ground with friends, or not being included, or being ostracized when a stand for truth and doing the right thing are planted firmly in a lifestyle. God has told us that would be the case. This is true for us as adults and for our children and our grands.
There are many lessons that Christ has taught us along our journey and many more lessons to come. Tom laughingly made a flippant comment on the golf course while we were playing and said “each stroke is an opportunity”. It stuck because that is true in life. We have an opportunity in each stoke of togetherness to make a difference. To share God’s word, to share his stories, his blessings, his encouragement, his comfort and his grace. We have much to learn from our children and our children have much to learn from us, but we must be willing to have open ears, a teachable mind, and a loving heart.
Throughout the generations, the Lord has gone before us and he has sent us a living example in Christ, who has given us direction and invited us to walk with him day by day moment by moment. The desire to know God better and love him more resides in each of us…. only waiting to be tapped and accepted. If we truly have tapped into a personal relationship with Christ, then we have a responsibility, no matter what generation it is that we are in, to not only count on Christ’s involvement in our lives but to openly share stories that reflect his way and how he answers prayers. He often does so in very unconventional, unexpected ways, and those stories shared give others a reason to trust God’s faithfulness, in spite of circumstances.
If some of you haven’t tapped in, or you know someone who would benefit from what you have learned don’t be afraid to share your stories or show them God’s remarkable path to a secure, and loving and freeing lifestyle that you know is available. It is a simple prayer….All you have to do is to honestly and humbly ask Christ to activate that desire, to know him better, within you, and you will be amazed at the transformation that will begin.
Blessed are we for the generations that have gone before us, who have steadfastly trusted God and have made known their stories of our glorious faithful God. May we too be part of a generation that does the same, and may we be willing to do the same for generations that follow.
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation
He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
