Telling the Story

People are tempted these days to rely on the `authorities` to pass on the truths and practices to their children.

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Recently my son took me to the theatre to watch a show called 'Come from Away.' It was his birthday gift to me.  The story of 'Come from Away' tells a story I had never before been aware of. It is a true-life story of what happened at Gander Airport Newfoundland, Canada on 9th September 2001 when terrorists destroyed the World Trade Centre in New York, and all flights incoming to America`s N/E coast  were immediately grounded. 

On that day 38 flights were directed to land at Gander Airport and all passengers were kept there for 5 days. At that time Gander had a population of 7,651 and had to accommodate 6,800 passengers and crew. As there was insufficient hotel accommodation available, temporary accommodation was set up in various places around the town, and the townsfolk had to look after and feed them. (there is too much to go into here but look it up its an amazing story of human kindness, adaptably and endurance towards complete strangers) And if you ever get the chance go and watch the show do, it was truly amazingly poignant and uplifting.

 But that is not the subject of my blog. It was the conversation on the way home with my son that prompted me to write this blog. We were talking about the horrendous events of 9/11 and our memories of it. My children were 12 and 9 at the time, and I made the decision to let them watch the events on TV with me so I could support them through that awful day.

 But during the chat on the way home from the show, we were both conscious that there was now a whole generation of adults who would not have experience that day. My son also mentioned another day that was momentous to him – the day Princess Diana died. He shared how watching prince William and Harry’s reaction during the funeral procession, and how it had affected him, as he was around a similar age to Harry. We again talked about how there is a whole generation of people who have no memory of the 9/11 event or the death of princess Diana. 

This got me thinking of the scripture in Psalm 145 V6-8 “Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts: let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic glorious splendour and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue and I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness and they will sing with joy about your righteousness” (NLT)    

It is so important to share with our families the truths God has revealed to us. To share how we came to know Jesus and why it is so important to know who Jesus is and what He has done for every one of us.  To share Gods word with them and to explain the word to them, sharing the Goodness of God and His love to each and every one of us. I know this may sound obvious but sometimes when we bring up children in Christian households, we can be tempted to think they pick up the gospel by osmosis. By the way we live and what we do, by taking them to church each Sunday and by sending them to Sunday school and youth meetings. These things are all good, but its our testimony and daily sharing of the love of God that will be imprinted on their lives. The stories we pass on of what the Lord has done in OUR own lives as well as the stories from the Bible that is what will remain with them as they grow. 

People are tempted these days to rely on the `authorities` to pass on the truths and practices to their children. Many parents today rely on schools to educate their children in discipline, good behaviour, sex education, morals and sometimes even religious education. But for us who know the truth of God we cannot be tempted to do that. Gods word clearly says that each generation of people who know you as their Lord and Saviour should tell their children of your mighty acts! The Psalmist

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Asaph goes even further in Psalm 78 v 4-7 he says “We will not hide these truths from our children, we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His mighty acts. For He issued His laws to Jacob; He gave His instruction to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them – even the children not yet born and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God nor forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands” (NLT)

I am so glad that I saw that show last night, for now I know the wonderful story of a town’s generosity and sacrifice to people they didn’t know and the difference/ change to some of the lives of those people because of the actions of the townspeople. I feel enriched by this being revealed to me. But how much greater is the story we have of the God who was so generous He gave us a code to live by and guidelines for a righteous and fruitful life, who provides all we need and furthermore sacrificed His own Son at great personal cost so that we might be saved, healed, blessed and secure in Him for the rest of our lives and for eternity. 

What if no one had shared that with me? What if it had been left to my parents, who did not know the Lord, to pass on their experience to me. The word shows us that we not only have the responsibility to pass the truth on to our own children, but to all children (even adult children who have never heard the truth from their own parents).  What an amazing task we are directed to carry out from the Lord.

So, we should be encouraged today to share the truth with our families, its not our responsibility if they will not receive it, but it is our responsibility to share the word and live the word before them. Also, we need to share that with other children we come into contact with when we can, in a respectful way. We should also pray for those that run Sunday Schools, Church Youth groups or Youth outreach and for those working in schools to share the stories of the love of the Lord. 

Lord - help me today to be an enlightener to the children and the adults (Your older children) we know or meet. To share with the next generation, to enable Your truth to be perpetuated from generation to generation. 

Author: Jan Pearson

May God bless and enrich your life

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