Heritage

 Lately, I've been reviewing a book that was given to me by our church prayer team leader just a week or so after Eric passed away.  It's called "Your Ears Will Hear:  A Journal for Listening to God" by Steve and Evy Klassen.  It tells their experiences in hearing from God and gives suggestions for listening for God's voice as we sit quietly with Him, and journaling about what we hear. 

The most recent one talked about Steve's heritage, and the journaling exercise asked about the lives of our parents and grandparents, and what we would want to carry forward, or leave behind.

How many times I have been thankful that I had godly parents who learned from my grandparents!  I have always known I was loved.  I was always provided for, even though we were quite poor when I was young.  I always felt secure, was never abused, molested, or even neglected.  I was taught Bible truths from as far back as I can remember. 

I was the youngest of 7 children in our home, with my oldest sister 16 years older than I was, and my closest brother three and a half years older than I.  When I was apparently the only one not in school, I have a memory of being down for a nap in my little bed in my parents' bedroom, and just asking my mother about a calendar picture on the wall, which showed the crucifixion.  My mother, with tears pouring down her face, told me about Jesus dying for me.  So I even knew about God's love for me from a very young age.

Not only that, but there was order and discipline.  We all knew how to clean up and take care of our belongings. I can always wholeheartedly sing the words of the song "Goodness of God".  Lyrics like, "I love You, Lord.  Oh, Your mercy never fails me.  All my days I've been held in Your hands" and "All my life, You have been faithful.  All my life, You have been so, so good" and "Your goodness is running after, it's running after me".

Clearly, not all everyone has been blessed with as loving and secure an upbringing as I had, but it is good to stop and give thanks for the amazing blessings that can still be found in looking back.  God has been at work in all of our lives, revealing His love and care.  Everyone can find evidences of His protection and provision, His mercy and grace.

God's Word doesn't lie and it tells us:

     The LORD is my shepherd.  I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness, for His name's sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalm 23) .

That is our heritage, both yours and mine.  I invite you to review and rehearse and express gratitude for whatever good earthly heritage you have had, and keep in mind the supernatural heritage you also have.  And sing with me, "I've known You as a Father, I've known You as a friend, and I have lived in the goodness of God."