I recently delivered a gift and meal to a family with a new baby; one of my favorite things to do in ministry at St. Luke’s. I was surprised to see their address, because they live just a block from the house my parents owned when they lived in Oklahoma City. After the visit, I couldn’t help but drive by the old house.
I was surprised that nothing on the outside had changed; the siding was the same, the landscaping was some my parents had added, and it looked exactly as it had nearly 20 years ago. I was also surprised when a big lump came to my throat and tears filled my cheeks. I could picture the people I love in that house. I remembered the holidays celebrated. I recalled the times I took my children to visit their grandparents. I could see them playing in the backyard with their cousins. We shared such precious times as a family in that place, and a huge feeling of gratitude swept over me. But another feeling also crept in; I remembered how much time I’d spent with my mother there. I remembered having great conversations with her and sharing about my hopes and dreams for my children, and I remembered her loving our family so much in that house.
On my drive home, I had a conversation with God about my mother’s death 5 ½ years ago. I reminded Him she hadn’t wanted to die; she’d wanted to see her grandchildren grow up. I reminded Him she could’ve taught her grandchildren many more things if she’d lived longer, and we could have made more happy memories.
And then He reminded me of these things:
· she lived exactly the length of time He needed her to live (Job 14:5-7: a man’s days are numbered. You know the number of his months. He cannot live longer than the time You have set.)
- she lived a life pleasing to Him (Hebrews 13:21: May God give you every good thing you need so you can do what He wants. May He do in us what pleases Him through Jesus Christ.)
· it’s up to the rest of my family and me to pass on the faith to our children and grandchildren (Deuteronomy 6:6-7: And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.)
God’s Word brings me encouragement and comfort and I pray it is so for the next generations. What can you do to pass on your faith today?
-Susan Easttom, Director of Family Ministries
