Legacy

As we approach Christmas in the next few days, ask yourself the following question-

Will the plans I make affect my family for future generations?

My husband and I did not become Christians until we were 10 years into our marriage. Our daughters were 5 and 1 at the time. The holidays were very typical with non-Norman Rockwell family dyamics present.  I remember some pretty volatile days spent with relatives where there was less than Christlike behavior from family members as well as ourselves.

We made some hard choices to no longer travel across country to spend Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with some family members.  We decided to stay at home and attend church with our daughters and create new traditions such as reading the story of Christ's birth in the book of Luke.  We did not cutoff all family ties. We chose to visit on the days following Christmas so we could keep our hearts focused on what was important - the celebration of Christ's birth.  Did it create some initial family stress? Yes. However, it eventually disappeared.

Looking back, it was a decision that changed the spiritual future of our family.

This past week our eldest daughter shared the following story about our four year old grandson, Isaiah.  Our son-in-law had done something that hurt Isaiah's feelings and said to him "I'm sorry, Isaiah".  Isaiah's words back to his daddy were, "That's OK, I forgive you because that's what Jesus would want me to do."

I thanked God for the words spoken by Isaiah...words that have created a new legacy for our family.

Wishing you a blessed and "forgiven' Christmas.