Legacy in Christ

Today, Kevin and I have been married 19 years. Thankful for this more than I can say for so many reasons. Kevin is the best, hands down, match for me...such a God thing. He takes great care of us, in every possible way and he is a wonderful, supportive, edifying father for our children. When I think of how we met, how unexpected it all was, I am in awe of God once again.  Throughout our lives, we had crossed paths and shared friends and never even knew it. God is truly amazing. I, also, can't reflect on our journey as a couple without remembering my parents, my grandparents and their parents before them. All still married or married until they went to live with Jesus. Without realizing it, they all passed down a wonderful blessing of a long, happy, marriage and now, Kevin and I are reaping the harvest. One day, our children will, too.

This always makes me think about how powerful our actions, our thoughts and our words are. We truly do reap what we sow, and as beneficiaries, so do our children. (Psalm 112:2) In the same way that we can bestow great blessings to our children, we can also pass along a legacy of curses. The things we "mean" to say and do AND the things we say in jest or do in fun, right or wrong, all work the same. Regardless of intention, they ALL have repercussions. 

This principle also works for non believers. Some people "get" the power of their thinking, their actions, their words and make it work for them. They know and say often they can do anything they set their minds to. And they do. Then again, how many people have you heard say, "Everyone around me is sick, I just KNOW, I'm going to get it, too."  Count the days, cause more than likely, they will. I've heard Joel Osteen say numerous times, "It's as much a psychological fact as it is a Biblical truth: thoughts become lives."

Job said, "The thing I have most feared has come upon me." (Job 3:25) Even though he was blessed beyond measure and believed God, he still "feared". A very powerful thought. He may not have even realized he was provoking a self fulfilling prophecy. By the same token, God says, we are "blessed in the city, in the country, coming and going, we will lend to many nations and never borrow, we are the head and not the tail, above always and never beneath." (Deut. 28:1-12) Jesus said, "ALL things are possible with God." (Matthew 19:26) and we are "more than conquerors." (Romans 8:37) The choice is ours to make. Which will we choose?

The point is, even without knowing it, we all have habits, language, actions and thoughts that pave the way either for the positive or the negative to be brought forth in our lives. My grandparents were like us all, just trying to get from one day to the next, my Grandfather; in and out of wars and back and forth to work, my Grandmother; with 4 children to raise, meals to cook, laundry to do and both; with a church, a home, a garden and horses to tend. I'm sure grandchildren hardly entered their minds. Still, here we are, 2 and 3 generations later, enjoying a life and marriage that continues to get better with each passing year and I believe that it's greatly due to their actions, thoughts and words.

Like every parent, I want everything wonderful for our children, our grandchildren and all those that follow until my Jesus returns. I want them to know a loving and caring God Who desires to give them His Kingdom; Who desires to hold nothing back. (Luke 12:32) My hope is that they will never struggle with the same difficulties that Kevin and I have. I know that God wants that for all of us, too, since He came to this world to give us "life in abundance, to the full, till it overflows." (John 10:10) 

Praise God, it's never too late. We can begin today, or even begin again today. :)  Right now, let us believe, boldly declare, claim and prophesy, "out with the old and in with His new". Let us learn His word, guard it in our hearts and keep it always on our lips. We have already been given abundant lives. It is ours, if we will but choose. Life or death, by what we think, say and do. (Proverbs 18:21)

Father God, I thank you for the truth of Your Word. I thank You for Your plan for myself and my family that is filled with Your goodness. I pray that You, continually, opens my eyes to the things in my life that aren't pleasing to You, so that I can call forth Your truth in those areas, break free from the past defeats and pave the way for a more blessed and absolutely victorious future for my family. In the name of Jesus, I declare that I WILL pass down a legacy of abundant living in You. Thank You for all You've blessed me with.  I love You and I praise You with all my heart. Amen.