We all leave a legacy even if we never think about doing so. Friends and especially family members will remember much about us whether it be good or not so good. Much of our legacy will depend on how we live, what we say and what we do. I noted this in my blog on January 8 about Neil Turner, when after his death, he was remembered by many for his faith and his trust in Jesus. What a legacy!
Now I have been blest to have a great heritage and it has been my desire for many years to pass this heritage on to my family as part of my legacy. And there are so many ways that this can be done.
One way that I have chosen is to pass on writings about events in my life and things that I think are important. I began this about 15 years ago and have passed on nearly 200 pages of writings and pictures to each of my seven grandchildren. For many years these were also posted online as part of the Awana website which I operated. However, a few years ago software problems forced me to end this website so these writings are no longer available to others who might be interested in them. So maybe I will begin to share some of these here in future blogs.
Another thing that I have done since 2006 is to prepare an annual family DVD which I give to my children each Christmas. It includes a variety of family pictures from the past year, a Bible verse and a background of music appropriate for the year. On Christmas Eve we play the DVD from ten years ago to remember the past and then we play the new one to remember the present.
This year the music I chose was an old hymn written in 1903 by George A. Young. Young was an obscure 19th Century preacher and carpenter who spent a lifetime serving in small rural communities. Often his financial support was small, and it was hard on his family. But through all the ups and downs his faithful wife never wavered in her loyalty to God and to her husband. After a long struggle, the family was able to move into their own small home which George built himself. But then, on an occasion when George was away preaching, some local thugs who didn't like his Gospel preaching, set fire to the house, and it was totally destroyed. It was out of that experience that Young reaffirmed his faith in God by writing God Leads Us Along.
While going through the pandemic I couldn't help but feel the words of this great hymn were appropriate for my 2021 DVD. "Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright, God leads His dear children along. Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night, God leads His dear children along."
2021 was hard - Isolation was difficult, covid was scary, the loss of friends and loved ones was tough. But God was faithful and led us, His dear children, along. He gave us a song in the night season and all the day long. And we know that He will continue to lead us.
In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.
Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.
Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.
Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity's day,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,I
n the night season and all the day long.
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