Our Rich Family History

Last Sunday as we sat around the table, we talked about our “first memories” as a child. Larry said: "I was very young and my mom and I lived in a small one-bedroom apartment. The little fold-up bed I slept on had a plastic cover on the mattress and the sound of the plastic when I moved around woke up my mom and me." He’s come a long way. And, thank God, his beginnings with a single mom caused him to be compassionate toward women who are raising their families alone. That’s one of the reasons he champions the EMwomen organization and the women that my daughter is so passionate about rescuing.

Recently, my cousin and I had a long telephone conversation about many precious family moments when we were young. Our grandparents and their fervent prayer life. Our mothers, who were sisters, and their faith that modeled to us the way we should go. One of my earliest memories was visiting her and my sister in their college dorm in Springfield, MO and eating pizza for the first time in my life. I was six years old. Funny – those earliest memories!

Last week, at the memorial service of a loved one, the pianist/vocalist invited us to sing along with him at the beginning of the service. The first song we sang was “The Old Rugged Cross” and at the first note, my tears began to flow. It was an old song I had not heard for many years and it reminded me of my “rich family history” of being in church, worshipping God and hearing all those stories and songs of God’s amazing grace.

When my mother was up in years, I realized I didn't know much about her history -- stories about her 12 siblings, what it was like living in a large family, how their parents were able to support them financially, how she met my dad, etc. What a shame that I waited so long to find out. I had been so "me" focused that I didn't treasure and appreciate where I came from. I did something about it. I set up my camcorder on a tripod and a few minutes and days at a time interviewed her. Her stories were so precious and so enlightening as to how far she had come and how strong she was throughout her years.

Fortunately, I finally stopped long enough to spend quality time with her that resulted in having VHS tapes made that I could give out to my siblings and their kids when mom passed away at age 94 in 2004. (I’m amusing myself as I type this when camcorders and VHS tapes are now just “blasts from the past”! I was able to pass on to my kids and siblings their rich (not in money, but in faith and fortitude) family history.

I own up to being nostalgic. I guess that comes with being on the other side of raising children, working and caring for a home and family with more time on my hands now to be thankful for my rich family history. I am one of those “older” family members who has a wealth of knowledge and stories just waiting to be shared. Thank you, Facebook, and social media for the ability to do just that. We spend so much time scrolling incessantly on our cell phones instead of one-on-one conversations with those who are filled with treasures that we are missing out on. We don’t talk and ask questions about their life and their past and what makes them who they are today. Maybe this little blog today gives you some inspiration to inquire about your family history – what it looked like “back in their day”, who were their heroes, what helped them conquer – especially in the days without so many conveniences and so much technology that we have today. You just may come to appreciate your rich family history, too!

I am so thankful that the richest family history we have was documented in God’s Holy Word – the Bible. The more I delve into the rich family history of Christianity, the more I know I need to be living every day with great appreciation and gratitude for what our forefathers and foremothers gave us. How can I do that unless I make the effort to know that heritage? Daily, I read or listen to a "Read-the-Bible-Through" in a one-year Bible app with scriptures and commentary. The scriptures come alive, especially as I hear some of the hair-brained mistakes made and the victories that were won by so many heroes of our faith. The history of our faith isn't OLD NEWS. It is the yesterday, today and forevermore news and if we continue to review it, rehearse it, and make it known to our children and our children's children, we will all be living in the plans and purposes of God's great love for His rich family.

I'm Claiming My Inheritance!

"Inheritance" is the name of my grandchildren's church youth group. I love that! I’ve thought about my own inheritance. I didn’t come from a wealthy family in terms of financial status and means, but how rich I am in the inheritance I received in the loving, serving and living in God’s grace and peace of my parents. In that sense, I have inherited abundance.

An inheritance is what we get for being part of a family that’s rightfully ours. Let’s pretend that our father is multi-billionaire Bill Gates, and he dies. We'd be very foolish to not take the time to read the will. We wouldn’t receive and enjoy the benefits from what belongs to us as a child of Bill Gates. Even more status with riches beyond measure is becoming a follower of Jesus. At that point, we’re not just a believer — we’re a BELONGER. We become a part of God’s family. Family privileges come along with that decision. We have a spiritual inheritance. Galatians 4:7 says "So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir."

What a shame it would be if we went through our entire lives and we didn’t know what benefits were available to us as children of God! Our loving Father didn't write a document that He put away in a safety deposit box and someday we’ll find out what the document says about our inheritance. Oh, no! We have already received our inheritance! We can already be enjoying the benefits of peace, joy, hope, love, overcoming faith, and walking in confidence in Whose we are, and best of all -- living eternally with Him!

When we read the Bible, we clearly can see God's LIVING WILL for us. It is all available to us right here – right now! It helps us live out God's purpose for our lives and to know the inheritance He has provided for us. His Word helps us grow and walk in that inheritance. Thank goodness for knowing we have been chosen, not forsaken; He is for us, not against us. We are who He says we are. Our great King welcomes us, sets us free, and is for us! I am a child of God. Yes I am! And so are you!

Is Your Home Built on Solid Rock or Sinking Sand?

We were just kids when we married (I was 17; he was 18). Funny the dreams we had back then. Often, we'd go “looking” for our dream home…. the newest mobile home models, in hopes of owning one someday. That was pie-in-the-sky dreaming back then, because my husband was a college student, and I was working my first $1.25/hr clerical job. Our “dream” changed when his uncles, who were in construction, took in a home on trade, and sold it to us. We purchased that cute little home in 1967 for $7,000. Our house payment was $67 a month which seemed astronomical at the time. A couple of years later, we sold it for $14,000 – we thought we had struck it rich! How far we came over the years of maturing, growing our family and depending on God more, as we took many more steps of faith”. And, each step continued to solidify our foundation.

In the 70s, we moved to Oklahoma, and, before we knew it, our young dreams came true. We purchased a mobile home that backed up to Lake Keystone. And, you’re probably thinking, “Are you kidding me? You bought a mobile home that backed up to the water in "Tornado Alley"?” Indeed we did. And we encountered many opportunities to stretch our faith, especially during every one of those tornados that came barreling down the lake. Thanks be to God -- we weathered them all. And with each one, whether it was a literal storm (tornado) or financial storm, or illness storm, or relationship storm, our HOME's foundation grew more solid. It was with each storm, that our HOME and our lives, became more secure and blessed.

Jesus likened the person who hears and keeps His teachings to a wise man who builds his house on the ROCK (Matthew 7:24). Not even the fiercest storm can bring it down. So I ask you today....solid rock or sinking sand? On what foundation are you choosing to build your life, and the lives of your family, today? If we want life’s truest treasures -- say "NO" to sinking sand, and say "YES" to building upon the Rock of Ages. It sure does make for a blessed, secure and comfortable home AND life!

Life = Risk

"If you've never failed.....you've never lived!" I'll never forget "the big one" that my husband and I "bet the farm" on. It was our BIG RISK -- we were going to become wealthy because of our investment in the drilling of an oil well. My husband and our young son, Ryan, stayed at the oil well -- all day and all night, watching and praying, for us to "strike it rich"! But that time -- it was not to be -- it was a DRY well. Disappointed? Yes! Was it a huge risk? Yes! Did it stop us? No! We never quit on taking risks, and I sincerely believe that is one of the reasons why our family has met with so much success. Plenty of failures along the way -- but it never stopped us from trying again.

Have you failed at something you so wanted to win at? Did others scorn you for taking a risk.....and, indeed, it was a loser? Have you wished you could step out in faith and become adventurous, but you kept hearing voices that said, "Give up!" "Throw in the towel!" "It's too risky!" "You could lose everything!" "Play it safe!" Well, we are in good company! Please watch this short, 1 minute video about some GREATS who became GREAT because they didn't listen to THOSE voices. I think you'll have a renewed sense of "I will not quit! I'm not giving up! I am unstoppable and I will win!