Family and Forebears - 30 Days of Thankfulness

Every family has its share of curiosities and longstanding legends. Family trees tend to contain all sorts of fruit in their many branches.

Ours is no exception, although I count our extended clan as exceptional.

Don't we all?

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to explore a treasure trove of old family photographs, diaries and letters. I was astonished to see childhood photos of long-gone relatives and discover I somewhat resembled a few of them. It pleased me to find writings from the early 1900s and see how those who came before me enjoyed weaving words in creative ways. 

Maybe that's where my love of writing began.

I enjoyed revisiting intriguing stories about some of my ancestors.

The tales brought these people to life, at least in my imagination. Many died before I was born, so I was particularly interested in learning about fascinating forebears I never had the chance to know.

In our clan, we have had pioneers and patriots, as well as an abundance of peculiarities. Picking through pictures and uncovering memories, we learned of miracles and mayhem. We heard about struggles, successes, and even a couple of scandals.

Our lineage contains a legacy of faith and family values, but it also reveals plenty of opportunities for God’s grace and mercy.

I loved seeing how the Lord’s hand never left our family line, even when forebears fumbled, and how He blessed those who earnestly looked to Him. I trust future generations will notice the same Fatherly faithfulness, should the Lord tarry.

I’m thankful for forebears, who demonstrated authentic living.

What stories these folks could tell, if they were still with us! I’m looking forward to asking my ancestors a wealth of questions and doing a lot of catching up, when we meet in eternity.

For You have heard my vows, O God;
You have given me  the inheritance of those who fear Your name.

Psalm 61:5, NASB

 

For what are you thankful?

Image/s:

Old Family Photo

Family Property –Private Collection

Thankful at Thanksgiving

Adapted from public domain artwork

 

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Eyes on Eternity - 30 Days of Thankfulness

Every day, I find myself refocusing my eyes. I’ve tried bifocals, trifocals, progressive lenses, and everything else the opticians can propose. Most of the time, I search all over for my reading glasses, only to find them stuck atop my own head.

The real issue is not about eyesight, anyway.

True vision seems to have little to do with our eyes and more to do with our perspective.

I’ve seen this firsthand, because I’ve been blind, or nearly so. (Here’s that story: Optic Neuritis: A Look at Sudden Blindness.)  I know the scary sensation of struggling to see. And I know the head-to-toe happiness of healing, having found my vision restored.

 But enough about eyesight.

Vision and perspective depend upon focus. When we focus on facts, we face frustrations. When we focus on feelings, we grow flustered. When we focus on our foibles (or those of others), we falter at futility.

I’d bet this doesn’t surprise the Father at all.

The Apostle Paul said this about focus.

Things that are seen don't last forever,

but things that are not seen are eternal.

This is why we keep our minds

on the things that cannot be seen.

2 Corinthians 4:18, CEV

I want to see more clearly. I’d love to read without glasses and to look at long-distance sights without squinting.

But, still more, I’d love to see God. I want to catch His vision for the world. I’m eager to grab onto His eternal perspective.

I want to see what cannot be seen.

I’m thankful God can help us set our eyes on eternity.

Take off my blinders, Lord. Life really is a whole lot bigger than the stuff I’m trying to spot. I’m craving a peek.

For what are you thankful?

Image/s:

Bright Eyes by Franchasar

Creative Commons Licensing

Wikipedia Commons Photos

Thankful at Thanksgiving

Adapted from public domain artwork

 

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Danger-free Decisions - 30 Days of Thankfulness

The faithful are divided, but maybe that’s OK.

Election Day is coming in America, and citizens are taking sides. Many have already cast their ballots in early or absentee voting.

Sure, folks feel strongly about their chosen candidates. Signs appear all over, and posts proliferate online.

But I’m grateful.

I’m thankful for danger-free decisions in our great nation.

Sure, pundits from both parties may trumpet the dangers of electing the wrong candidates. And their arguments may be merited.

Still, we have the opportunity to cast our votes freely. We can speak up without worrying about our safety, our children, or our homes.

When I visit the polling place on Election Day, no armed guard will look over my shoulder to see how I vote. No one will take away my job for the way I punch my ballot. It’s private. It’s protected. It’s personal.

And it’s free.

Here’s the best part. If I don’t like the candidates that win, I will have a chance to vote him or her out in a few years.

Yep, I’m thankful for danger-free decisions.

I’m praying for the outcome of the elections. What’s more, I’ll be praying for those elected, as they assume their new positions.

God knows – they’re gonna need it.

The first thing I want you to do is pray.

Pray every way you know how,

for everyone you know.

Pray especially for rulers

and their governments to rule well

so we can be quietly

about our business of living simply,

in humble contemplation.

This is the way our Savior God

wants us to live.

1 Timothy 2:1-3, MSG

For what are you thankful?

Image/s:

Voting Sign by Tom Arthur

Creative Commons Licensing

Wikipedia Commons Photos

Thankful at Thanksgiving

Adapted from public domain artwork

 

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