As one who grew up in South Florida, I simply love the change of seasons – especially the chill in the air and the fall leaves. Or course, when you are in South Florida, the “chill in the air” means that it might go all the way down to 60 at night and the fall leaves are only seen on the news. But, still… I love the fall. And, I do so, because the initiation of fall triggers very fond memories. In my mind, fall means that family time is right around the corner in the celebration of Thanksgiving and Christmas. And, I just love family time!
When I was young, family time meant gathering with family and extended family. My maternal grandparents actually lived with us throughout my growing-up years. My grandmother was a serious cook, and my grandfather was often the one who entertained the kids while the cooking took place. And, since both of my parents were also educators, we all had the same days off of school and spent lots of time together during the holidays. VERY fond memories.
This family gathering continued as my kids were growing up. We would gather with family and extended family as often as possible. This meant Amy and I and our four kiddos, but also included times with Amy’s parents and my parents – and those same grandparents who STILL lived with my parents during my kids’ growing-up years. It is such a blessing to have all four of our kids have such great relationships with all four of their grandparents – and several of their great-grandparents. Wonderful memories.
It is almost time for the next generation to take on this tradition. Our oldest son, Stephen, will be spending Thanksgiving this year with his new fiancé and family. We will miss having him at home, but are so very excited to see how Stephen and Kayla will continue the tradition of pursuing family time during the holidays. While I am not in a hurry to move from parent to grandparent status, Lord willing, that is the next milestone. I will become my dad and be Grandad and my kids will become like me. I do pray that I am blessed to see my grandkids walk in the truth as I have seen my own kids!
It seems strange for some to ponder the lives of kids not yet born, especially when my oldest son is just newly engaged (and we are not rushing the grandparent stage, I promise!) and my youngest is only in eighth grade herself (with two other kiddos in between). But, I believe that the Scriptures call us to do things now SO THAT children not yet born might walk in the truth!
Psa 78:1-7 A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! (2) I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, (3) things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. (4) We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. (5) He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, (6) that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, (7) so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
I am so thankful that my great-grandparents taught their children the glorious deeds of the Lord – and told them to teach their children. I am thankful that my parents, even before my children were born, encouraged Amy and me to bring our children up in the Lord – whenever God saw fit to bless us with children. Amy and I have not hidden these truths from our children, but have taught them from infancy about God’s might and the wonders He has done. We have done so believing that we would have no greater joy than to hear that our children were walking in the truth. But, not to contradict that verse, I can honestly say that this joy might be even a little greater if those children yet unborn would walk in the same truth – AND EVEN TELL THEIR CHILDREN (my great-grandchildren).
Some of you may be wondering if I really get all of this when I think about the fall. Well, the answer is YES. My great-grandfather, Walter Hanson, would have celebrated his 101st birthday two weeks ago if the Lord had not taken him home five years earlier, just weeks before his 96th birthday. We miss him (and my great-grandmother who died just months before him after celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary). But, if God so blesses, my great-grandchildren will walk in the truth in this life and the next – setting up what will be the most spectacular family gathering of them all in Heaven!
P.S. So that you know, this is what I will be thinking about when we honor our grandparents and veterans during the Community Heroes Day next Tuesday at WCCS! Hope to see you there!