Last night a grandmother purchased two copies of The Blessing Nisser for her yet-to-be-conceived great-grandchildren. This precious saint plans to place these gifts in her great-grandchildren’s hope chests knowing that she herself may never meet these blessed descendants. What faith she exhibits! She trusts the Lord, Who said, “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 NASB). Even if she is not on earth to physically disciple her family, she is sending forward God’s Word, which endures forever.
Loved ones, what legacy are we leaving for our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren? How about our nieces or nephews? Brothers and sisters, biological or spiritual? Most godly parents strive to make “teachable moments” and “create traditions” and “follow Christ.” Those are all good foundational tools in our parenting kit. But what would happen if we take time to occasionally consider the long view?
God says in Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” God has planned out to a thousand generations for His people. Why, then, should we neglect to consider the fourth, fifth, or even sixth generation of our own little families?
We are bombarded on every side by the needs of those around us, and no one needs another item for our to-do list, another idea for our guilt basket. But neither should we neglect to take the time to align our worldview with the Lord’s.
Begin with one sentence in your prayer time for God’s continued blessing on your family into the generations that follow you, that they may manifest His steadfast love for His name’s sake. If you feel prompted, write God’s promises to your family out in your own handwriting for the generations to follow to cherish. (Even if that means as a picture on their I Phones!) Begin hope chests (or shoeboxes) if you have the inspiration. Whatever you do, you can then rise with joy and praise Him for what He will do!