I grew up with in a family of storytellers. From my dad weaving elaborate tales he continued for months at a time to my grandad sharing his war stories to my mom sharing about country life, I heard it all. My siblings and I loved listening to them because it was like history coming to life. Through them, we gained rich history of our family. Even though I never met her, I felt a connection with my great-grandma, my namesake. I could almost hear my mom and her cousins spitting peas at one another in the field. My heart boomed as loud as the bomb ripping through the hull and exploding in the USS Savannah as if I were present in history. These are all bits of history passed through my family and I’m passing them on to my children who equally love stories. But not everyone has that. Recently, I listened to a speaker share of his grandparents or lack of them. He never knew their names or anything at all about them, not even his family history. It was as if no trail existed of him before now. It changed him. He made a personal vow to record his own family history for his children and grandchildren. He wanted them to know his story, but more importantly, God’s story in his life. His story saddens me yet inspires me. Because I also want my children and grandchildren to know how God has carefully woven the fabric of my family together. I want them to see his great power, his love, his faithfulness. I want them to see how he provides, how he cares, how he saves.

A biblical family history

One of my favorite passages from Deuteronomy 6 speaks of teaching our children and grandchildren the ways of the Lord, to tell them the stories of God rescuing them and what He’s done for them, to tell them of the long years wandering in the wilderness. Like the Israelites, we too need to remember and share these things. From how to make the best scratch-made chicken n’ dumplins to the faithfulness of God, we need to tell our families. When stories aren’t shared, they’re lost. Tell your children and grandchildren the wonderful stories –all of them. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if we ever stopped sharing these stories with our families, but then I remember the male speaker and his story. If we don’t tell our stories, they’ll be forgotten. A rich history will be lost unable to be recovered because we sat back quietly thinking our stories didn’t matter. But they do. Give your children and children hope when you speak of the time’s the Lord has rescued you, saving you from your own personal wilderness. Tell them when He’s provided for you when you couldn’t imagine how to make ends meet. Treat them to a funny story you remember from childhood or how your own grandparent fought for our country’s freedom. Whatever it is, tell it. Your story matters. Tell it.