Pass It On!

Jamie and I celebrated my parents 56th wedding anniversary last Friday night. Along with Tommy (my middle brother) and a note from Dixon (my older half brother), who could not attend. We each took time to celebrate what my Mom and Dad meant to us as kids and now as adults.

Each of us talked about the Godly heritage we'd received from them. They are both strong Christians putting their faith into action. As children, Mom and Dad took us to church each Sunday and instilled in us the Christian values that we embrace today.

Coming from challenging and differing backgrounds, they both drew on the strength of their Christian faith. Mom was the youngest of three sisters born in North Birmingham to my Grandfather, who we think may have had only a third grade education. He was a good business man having started several businesses over his lifetime. He was less of a family man, being married 5 times that we knew about. His last wife was the Grandmother that I knew.

But each Sunday he would take his three daughters to church. He would drop them off and pick them up after services. My grandfather never attended himself, but knew that his daughters needed that Godly foundation. He was a wise man to give them what he'd never himself had.

My dad also grew up in North Birmingham in difficult circumstances. Never knowing his father, who died when he was a young boy, but having a Godly mother, Olive Wood (our daughter Hayden's middle name, Olivia, is from my grandmothers name). She instilled in him a love for Christ that has been the guiding principle of his life.

They passed on to us the Godly heritage of a great marriage. Founded upon the rock of Jesus Christ. Because of their faithfulness, we enjoy the blessings of a great marriage. Not that it was all due to them but the heritage they passed on to us has been critically important in shaping our relationship.

We are in turn passing on that heritage to our children. Where they will have the benefit of two generations of marital success. They'll pass it on to their children and their children's children. Each generation benefiting from the one before.

Make a decision to pass on the heritage of a Godly marriage. It will have eternal significance to the husbands, wives and children that come after you. After salvation, it's the greatest gift that you can give to those you love. Pass It On!!!