By Gina Caswell Kelly
Our family reunion is this week. We have had a family reunion every year for lots of years. My daddy’s family is very large. Daddy had 15 brothers and sisters. None of them are left now. But the cousins still make sure we gather every year. This year, I have been asked to give a short devotional. So, I have been thinking a lot about our family legacy. Daddy had a note in one of his notebooks taken from a will written by a great grandfather back in the early 1700s. His name was Matt. We still have a Matt Caswell today!
In this note, it talks about this man’s faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. He talks about leaving this world knowing where he is headed. His faith was strong in Jesus. I am proud that I have that note. I am proud to know that faith in God is something that has been passed down through this family, to which I belong. Sure, we all make mistakes and sometimes don’t really show that we serve the one true God. But all families are that way. That is where forgiveness comes in. We serve a God of mercy, grace and forgiveness. And I am so glad we do.
Our legacy is so important. What we leave behind us matters. Like the song says, “May all who come behind us find us faithful.” That is certainly my goal. I hope it is yours, as well! Our children need a legacy of faithfulness upon which to fall. They need to have parents they saw serving God. They need to know our stories. My Sunday school class has to hear this almost every week! Write down your stories of the wonderful things you have seen God do in your life. It is a wonderful treasure and great blessing to have God’s Word with us, but for those who don’t know the Savior, the stories from your own life make such a difference.
When have you seen God work in your life? What miracles have you seen God do just for you? When has He brought you safety and peace? Write these stories down. I have many of mine written down and saved in my computer as my “Faith Story.” I am hoping that one day it brings great peace to my children and my grandchildren as they see the Father’s faithfulness in even bringing them to where they are today.
What is your family’s legacy of faith? If there is not much of one, commit today to starting a lasting legacy of serving God faithfully in your own family. It is never too late to begin! God is waiting to hold you close and protect you. He wants to visit with you. He wants to walk with you.
Oh what a difference a legacy of faith can make for your family for generations to come!
