Heritage

When I was a child I looked forward to visiting my grandparents; and especially to sleep-overs! I have many wonderful memories of riding in my grandpa's car on the way to their house in the country for a sleep-over (they lived about six miles from my home in a small, "Norman Rockwell-town"). My grandpa always asked me to sing my Sunday school songs in the car on the way to his house . . . and I sang them at the top of my lungs! (It always embarrassed my older sister when I sang in Sunday school, but my grandpa loved to hear me sing - which amazed and delighted me!)

I remember the aroma of fresh-baked bread in my grandma's kitchen . . . and being given a fresh-from-the-oven slice of bread with Peter Pan Peanut butter on it . . . is there possibly a better, or tastier treat???!!!

I remember praying with my grandparents and seeing them read from their Bibles. I remember my grandpa always had a smile on his face and was quick to laugh - or sing a silly song - and my grandma was sensible, sweet and oh, so filled with love!

And, now, I live in the same house they lived in when I was little! Now my grandsons come to my home for sleep-overs! We sing, dance, pray together, talk about God's Word and laugh, a lot! I bake bread - and cookies, of course, and my grandsons know their grandma and poppa love them with every bit of love a person can possibly love another person!

Heritage. For me it is as close as my kitchen; as close as my house. I see and remember my grandparents in this house where I now live; my grandparents had it built, my dad was born in this house - it is part of my heritage - and part of my grandsons' heritage as well. (And my parents - my grandchildrens' great-grandparents - live across the street! When Josiah and I talked about how he is able to know his great-grandparents, he said; "I am very lucky and blessed, because not all children know their great-grandparents!" He is so right!)

But heritage is more than a house; more than sweet memories. It is also about leaving a legacy of faith for our children and grandchildren - and if we are so blessed, our great-grandchildren. Regardless of where you live, handing down your faith is the greatest heritage you will ever give - and leave - to your grandchildren. I focus on doing this by praying for and with my grandchildren. We talk about God's Word and the real people we can learn about from the Bible. We look for God's "fingerprints" on the world around us. We talk about what it looks like to live our faith in our everyday lives. As my grandchildren grow older, some of the things I do to hand down faith to them will change and adapt, but for now, these are the things we do.

How old are your grandchildren and what are you doing to leave a heritage - a legacy of faith for them?

(This photo is one of my grandma and my dad at a birthday party for him in front of their house - which has been my home for the past 20 years!)