Does It Really Matter?

Posted on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 9:09

Jeremy and I just returned from a family reunion in Waco, Texas.  Gathered together were the descedents- about 100 of us- of R. and L. Brock, my husband's maternal great-grandparents.  The Brocks, who both passed away in the 1990's, were a godly couple who raised 8 children, all daughters.  Unfortunately, none of the 8 truly followed the Lord in their adult years or raised their own children in church.  The results were a meeting room full of broken people- broken lives, broken families, a broken legacy. 

Just one generation away from Christianity, and only a handful of believers remained to represent what was once a family heritage.  I don't say this to sound self-righteous in the least; it grieved my heart.  While everyone was pleased to honor the Brocks' memory, no one seemed to stop and think of how their present life styles would have truly broken the heart of the couple, were they still living.

So many people today have convinced themselves that the "rules and regulations" of Christianity don't really matter, or aren't relative to our present culture.  They label those of us who follow Christ as "fanatics" or "holy rollers" who don't know how to have fun.  Unfortunately, the story of their lives tells another tale.  Broken families, addictions, unwed mothers, fatherless children, wayward teenagers, unfaithful spouses... all heartaches grown from the seeds of "carefree" living.  I will never be able to look into the hardened face of a woman, two or three times divorced, with a smoker's cough and a care-worn face masked in heavy make-up, and be convinced that I am the one in bondage because I strive to live to please Jesus Christ.   

Jeremy and I had a lot to think and talk about on our trip home this evening.  Just one generation away from Christianity... what if that one generation would have realized the importance of their heritage?  How many heartaches and broken lives might have been avoided?  What if they had only realized that living for God really does matter?    

Untitled Comment

Posted by smmagers on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 9:48 - Link

What a blessing and how sad at the same time. It is a blessing to be able to see that some of the family walk in the path started by the elders in the family, by being Christians and loving Jesus and serving him.
And then it is so sad that some of the family is soo lost and missing out on Jesus and his Blessings. In times like that your/anyones children can see what a difference Jesus can make in yours/ours lives.
God Bless you and yours. mj

Your family reunion

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at 8:25 - Link

Amen! Very well stated.

Untitled Comment

Posted by Cindeerella on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at 10:02 - Link

I don't think it is "rules and regulations" that make the difference. It is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, that cause you to live for Him.

Same here

Posted by Anna S on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at 12:20 - Link

The same is happening, sadly, in our family. I'm one of the few who is a believer. So sad.

I agree...

Posted by naturalmama on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at 3:43 - Link

with you, Cindeerella. It's NOT about rules and regulations, but often unbelievers look at the standard by which we Christians live, and all they see are the things we do and don't do. If only they knew the freedom and joy that comes with serving Christ! My prayer is that my life will shine with God's love and presence so that others will be drawn to Him. ~Kristy

family reunions

Posted by Crystal on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 1:23 - Link

My hubby and me kind of have the opposite situation. Most of his family tree is full of pastors and homeschoolers and Bible believing Christians, while in my family tree there is quite a bit of shall I say "unguided" people.

When I started to go to my husband's family reunions it was a new and amazing thing to me. It was awesome to be a congregation, a church for one weekend with a body of people that were related by blood and marriage, not just spiritually related.

I know what you mean about seeing the needs of people in a group like that where you end up wondering where the legacy went. But to me, that just shows me that much more how important it will be for us to instill in our future kids how important faith is. I truly pray that we will be able to teach that.