Devotionals for the Heart: Faith

Legacy of Faith
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.” –Psalm 78:1-4 (NASB)

So many of us, especially at this moment in time, are craving conversation and fellowship with others. Even those of us who are homebodies and introverts are yearning to talk and laugh with those we miss. So, as imperfect as it is, aren’t we all grateful for technology that can help bridge physical distances and give us a connection with those we love?

My own extended family is separated by many miles. For several years, my family has had an ongoing video chat using the Marco Polo app. Some days that chat is quiet, and some days it’s busy, but most often it’s just a few people checking in with what the weather is like and what’s on the schedule for their day. Sometimes we ask for prayer for ourselves or others. We talk about things we would talk about if we were sitting around drinking coffee and chatting. I love it.

When my grandmother, in her 90s, came on and gave her Easter greetings recently, she reminded us why Easter is the best holiday of the entire year and what a wonderful gift Christ gave when He conquered the enemy, once and for all. I absolutely agree with her, of course, but her sweet video reminded me of another beautiful gift God has given me: a family legacy of faith.

I have been in church nearly every Sunday since the Sunday I was born. My parents both grew up in Christian homes. Their parents all grew up in Christian homes. My family has never been shy about talking through matters of faith: truths we learn in the Bible, how to apply these things to our daily life, the lens through which our beliefs allow us to see the world, who we can help, how we can love—all of these things have been in our regular, everyday conversations for my entire life.

I feel very fortunate to have had family members who passed down their knowledge and wisdom, their stories, their experiences of what Jesus means to them and I realize how important that is to share with others. We see time and time again in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, the commandment to “remember” or to “share” or to “tell.” The people of God were told to build altars and celebrate feasts, all in an effort to continue the story of His faithfulness throughout each subsequent generation. We also see how one or two generations of forgetfulness can cause a lot of brokenness.

Does your family have a legacy of faith? There’s no better time than right now to say ‘thank you’ to those members of your family who have led you in wisdom and faith. Make a point of continuing that legacy with the children in your own family.

But if you’re reading this and wishing that you had grown up in different circumstances, just remember that every legacy starts somewhere. By God’s grace you can be the one who changes your family tree, so rejoice in the opportunities He will give you to pass on what you know.

Each new day becomes a choice. What will our legacy be?

Let’s Pray: Today, Lord, give me opportunities to share you with my family, my friends, and people I meet. Help me choose to make my legacy one of faithfulness, mercy, love, and kindness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Glynis Becker writes devotions and inspirational fiction, hoping someday to have a published novel on her resume.

She has co-written several screenplays, including the film Sinking Sand, available on DVD and digital streaming.

Glynis, whose childhood was spent all over the country as an Air Force brat, has called South Dakota home for many years, along with her husband and two teenage children.

When she’s not writing or reading, she is watching more television than she should and crocheting. You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.