Generational Cycles

     I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
                                                  ~ 2 Timothy 1:5

After a conversation with my lovely mother yesterday, I was compelled to share my thoughts on the cycles of the family. NO, I am not a licensed or trained psychologist or psychiatrist, just utilizing my 1st amendment right. Anyway, I have always discussed with my mom and sister that the manner in which our family behaves, responds, and most often thinks is a result of our family heritage.

I have seen over time the similarities between my aunts, uncles, cousins, and my immediate family and one has to ask the question....where did it all begin? I will not dwell on the bad but will uplift the positive and am happy to share that one of the behaviors that has definitely been passed down from generation to generation is our belief in God our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I come from a praying family of women. One of the first revelations I remember God showing me, after giving my life to Christ...again, was who prayed for me in my life and it was a list of women throughout life namely my family.

So, as I often reflect on the bad things that I have inherited, I am grateful to acknowledge the positive as well. My family worries and that's what my mother and I spoke about yesterday. Worry has somehow passed from generation to generation in my family. I don't know where it all started, but I know where it's going to end. I don't know where prayer started, but I'm happy to continue in this behavior for the bible admonishes us to "not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

I'm not sure where we started worrying but kept praying or kept worrying and started praying, but the verse above makes it clear We cannot worry and pray at the same time. Of all the things the people in my life share with me in regards to my life decisions and what I should have or should not have done I wish we could start being more cognitive of what we are REALLY passing along to our family. We must do more than just talk about it, but as my husband preached last Sunday, we must also be willing to let our light shine by also being doers of the very thing we preach about. And it has been my distinct pleasure to experience that "prayer works" even when it looks like there is no way, God shows you His way.

If nothing else, as the introductory scripture shows, faith can be passed from generation to generation. So even though there may be some negative generational cycles, take the good and leave the bad...I plan to.

And last but not least, although I dislike a lot of the things that go on in my family and sometimes wish we highlighted more of the good instead of the bad as well as being a part of another family altogether I have to admit that my mother is a glowing example of the woman of God that I would not mind becoming one day, in the eyes of God for God sees our heart. So, in seeing our heart, this is what the bible says about our elders...

"No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,  and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds." (1 Timothy 5:9-10)

Thank you God for a praying family and for a grandmother and mother who taught me about You, shared the gospel of Christ with me and who even now continues to pray for me and my family.