Clinton Door

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Heritage


Our heritage comes from the Lord..yes! But our earthly parents give and leave a heritage. That is how we learn who we are and what we are made of. As a believer, we trust our faith and integrity will show our commitment and love for Christ...which comes from spending time in the Word and prayer. Sometimes life can get too busy (Satan's greatest tool I might add) and we don't stop long enough to really sit before the Father. I am guilty of this....but the last two and a half weeks, I have had more time on my hands than I have seen in about six years. For those who are not aware, I am home recovering from surgery....doing pretty good, but taking longer than I anticipated. Notice the "i" part....with God, there are no secrets....just takes me a little while longer to figure it out.

This last Sunday was a very special day for all of us..well, most of us. We all have fathers (or we wouldn't be here). I have read a few comments about being thankful for dads and read one where their thoughts were my thoughts at one time: Father's Day is a difficult day for me. That took me back to many years past. I felt like that as well. My father died three days before my second birthday. I grew up not knowing him in a personal way by his physical presence, but my mother never let us forget who he was. Now, there were a lot of things going on around him that caused him anguish - He fought diligently for the rights of people to have the ability to vote, to attend the school of choice, take a bus, go to a restaurant, drink out of a water fountain ......regardless of their color. He was a man that stood on principle, believed all were created equal and he left a heritage that will never die. How do I know this heritage exists? I see this is my sons, Jake & Josh. I see that my father's heritage had indeed passed into their lives and impacted them in a way they cannot compromise.

These days, I love Father's Day. My sons have the greatest dad who is committed to loving them, encouraging them and living his life faithfully for Jesus Christ, hence another heritage:) But in my early years, I was sad and broken as I didn't have a father to give hugs to, thanks to or visit on this special day. God has done a great healing in my soul and I have been able to move past this pain. He taught me that He is my Father and everyday is Father's Day. Although my father wasn't here, in his own way I was loved. I was chosen. My Heavenly Father is always here. I am loved. I am chosen. The greatest gift my father gave me was his heritage. The greatest gift my Father gives me is His only Son, Jesus. I have freedom. I have forgiveness. I have eternal love. The chains are gone.....my freedom not just belongs to me, but to my sons as well.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.