I enjoy seeing my grandchildren with their father so much. A girl's relationship with her own father has a way of keeping the heart grounded in stability. My son in law with his little girl is the perfect picture of such a relationship. Daddy's arms to Gracie are as a tower of strength. She feels secure and safe when he holds her. I can see it in her eyes. He is her refuge in the world when all goes wrong, Daddy can fix it. The relationship between a Dad and his daughter is the foundation on which a girls inner security and personal confidence is built.
My brother Marvin, one of the great Christian songwriters is the center of his little grand daughter's life. To Vivian, he is her hero. He's the fun one, her happy little face shines when he's around. The light in her eyes is from the security she feels in his big strong arms. Little girls need their Daddy. It builds their self esteem, if they are loved and encouraged by their Father.
Since my own Father has retired from his position of being a Missionary (all over the world) I get to talk to him every day if I want to. He is 'just down the road' only 1200 miles away - although that is close compared to his years in Africa, or Asia or as last year's travels in Australia. This is in one of his offices he has had down through the years.
Where do such good relationships begin? From our linage of what is passed down to us from generations past. My Grandparents heritage to me was their history of pioneering churches in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Arkansas. Building little startup fellowships, and remodeling buildings to become churches, their life was all about service and helping others find salvation. They both have since went to Heaven but they left their fingerprints in my life. I can say I am proud of their accomplishments in the earth.
My Great Grandparents were people of honor. Together they began a family that has touched an untold number of people for Christ. They had no idea what would become of their linage, yet the seeds they sowed into their children turned them into mighty people of valor. How does one value what was handed down to them through the now silent voices of character and integrity? When I shall see these precious people on the other side of life, will they recognize me by my actions which were to be a carbon copy of their own? The historical records are set and cannot be changed. Their lives now passed on, have carved out a road for my own feet to follow. Lines of truth and honesty. Paths of righteous living to follow along behind. They set the pace for my heritage through ministry that is the footprints I try to walk in now. No books have been written about their lives or harrowing experiences they went through. But the genes and DNA given to me have the strains of faithfulness and loyalty, hard work and family spiritual values imprinted within, and these have written volumes in my heart.
The years pass slowly but surely and now my Dad is the Great Grand Father of our family. Where did time go so fast. He now imprints himself upon my grandchildren of who are in awe of him. They speak of him in hushed tones and exaggerate the word GREAT Grand Father. Right now they are too little to understand their destiny is determined by how they choose to follow the landmarks already set by bloodlines gone before them marking the path to travel life by. The precious gifts and talents yet undeveloped within them are encouraged and allowed to grow by their relationships with the matriarchs and patriarchs of the family. A special family? You bet! One that forgets what is behind and stretches for the future everyday.
And then I watch my beloved husband with his seed and see the shaping that is happening before my eyes. Gracie loves her PawPaw and thinks he can change the world for her anytime she needs it to change. His relationship with her will affect her life forever as she takes her place behind in the long line of those who have taught, sung, preached lived and loved hard for that main goal - the salvation of souls. Can she do it? With her Daddy's voice and power encouraging her, and her PawPaw's thundering actions, and her linage of genetics finding her talents from deep within, she will find the Father's Calling for her own life and fulfill all that we have not quite finished and left for her to do.
Together my husband and I, watch Sean and Angela guide their children towards the future with love and expectation for good to come to them. And the rest of us.......... stand silently behind them trusting we have put good stock within the young to carry them through life with wisdom.
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