Necklace

Almost every time I have one of my grand babies on my lap, from Sam who is 6 months to Blake who is four, they invariably spot and reach for, or cling to and examine my necklace that I wear each day. Actually I wear two..one is a cross but the one that they go to is a heirloom. It was my mom's who had had her mom's wedding ring made into a pendant. It is probably one of my dearest possessions, other than my wedding ring and a bracelet that has hearts with the initials of all our family members. But back to the necklace. Catherine, my only grandaughter will one day be the recipient of it...and she too will cherish it for even today she holds it and waits for the story of whose it was. The kids don't understand the significance of it or sentimental value and worth of it...they only know it is mine now and that it is always there. But I do know...what it represents...it is a reflection of generations past...and those whom I loved dearly and who are now together in their rightful home with Jesus.

Today is made up of lots of experiences from yesterday. Generations before us who have forged ahead so that we could be benefactors of the comfort and freedom and worthy values and beliefs that we have today. We are not to live in the past...but oh how we are called to reflect on it and appreciate it for the challenges that were overcome, for the lessons learned and passed on, for the love that was shown, for the sufferings that were endured, and the mighty deeds that were done.

Again I have to come back to this Bible in 90 days journey that we have just completed.(Truly if you are offered a chance to do this...it provides a most beautiful framework for who God is, what God has done....and why we are to bow down to him each day) For it is chalked full of examples of God recounting what he has done for the love of His people. Some chose to forget while others held the torch high and passed it on to the next generation. I know what has been passed down to me and now I am the generation responsible for passing it along to the next. These precious grandchildren are not just the responsibility of their parents but of all of us. We are the ones who have stories to tell of how Jesus has played the centerpoint role in our history. How he has overcome all challenges, fought victoriously through all fights, has established a power of freedom and holds the keys to death in his hands....as well as eternal life for all those who believe in him. It was important for God to give us the story and tell us of the trials and temptations and pitfalls of generations past...so that we could guard again behavior that does not line up with his way and establish a righteousness in partnership with Jesus, the only one who could make that righteousness come alive.It is through these stories that we come to know what to expect...what to look out for...who to trust...who to count on and who to go to whenever and with whatever is going on in our lives.

The word generation is mentioned in the bible 152 times...so it must be a topic that weighed heavy on God's heart. For what one generation experiences....trickles down to the next. The good and the bad...so that we might learn from others mistakes and sufferings that were often a result of disobedience as well as their victories and contentment through faith.
Psalm 78:4
We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generationthe praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

As these precious ones sit on my lap and wait to hear stories that I tell....I am convinced that they are listening...they may not understand today but one day if the stories are kept alive they will understand the significance of those lives who have gone before them. They will know them through stories of old...and will catch a glimpse of a legacy they have left behind....through us. It takes time and effort and a endless amount of love to establish a lasting relationship...one of trust and confidence an faith....when we make that time and choose that investment it is for a lifetime....an eternal lifetime. Just as Jesus has chosen to be with us and we to be with HIm.

It is only a necklace...but it represents a life who was loved by another life who was loved by another and the trickle just continues on. We are the today that will make up the legacy for tomorrow. It is a treasure of worth that must not be ignored or put aside or deemed unimportant....for keeping the remembrances of what has been done in the past alive...is an inheritance that gives depth and understanding and praise and hope to us today as well as the ones who will follow us tomorrow. May we who are heirs of understanding and love pass the stories of old to our waiting generation.

Dear Lord, I thank you for the stories of old that you have kept alive. Stories of faithfulness and unfaithfulness, trials that have been overcome, miraculous victories that have been made through your power, prophesies that have been lived out, and fulfillment that has been established through Jesus. Make us mindful of your story each day and help us to incorporate the lessons that you have revealed through your word into our thoughts and words and deeds and responses to those around us. Thank you for the generations that have gone before us and for their stories which have helped us to understand suffering, accept your sovereignty, and embrace with faithfulness your love. Amen
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!

website:
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email address: cjodeit@gmail.com
The blog link below has all devotionals from the beginning of the year:

http://simplygod-cathy.blogspot.com/