A Gift from 1890

I was recently given a Bible that belonged to my great-great grandfather, given to him by his father. In the front cover is written:

"A present made to Elias I. Kennedy, April the 8, AD 1890, by his father, Jas (James) L. Kennedy, with a hope that he will read and obey the teaching of this Holy Bible, for in it we may learn the way of Life."

It's probably a "church" Bible, but you can tell that it was used. The cover is worn, and the binding edges are torn. I'm sure that some of it is due to it's age, but it's been in storage for years, and is in good condition.

I think that it's pretty cool.

I have a tendency to look forward most of the time. I've kept a journal (albeit occasionally) for several years specifically for the purpose of giving my boys something to look back at some point in the undetermined future. It has some things about my life, challenges, and successes; but it mainly has stuff about our family's life, and what I'm learning everyday. It's written in the present tense to both of the boys, and someday when they read it I hope that they'll feel that I'm right there with them.

I also have a stack of Bibles, a couple of which are well-worn. My current Bible is starting to fall apart, but I can't talk myself into getting a new one. I decided a couple of years ago that I was going to mark it up with the passages, sermons, and lessons that I've learned, and it's special to me.

The book of Judges teaches us that we are all leaving a legacy. Let's witness three generation of Israelites....

The first generation followed one of the greatest leaders in world history. They witnessed as Moses called down the 10 plagues against the Egyptians, walked across the Rea Sea on dry ground. They saw God provide water and manna, quail and sustenance. And then as the 1st generation passed away, the 2nd generation was lead by mighty Joshua - they saw the power of God as they conquered Jericho and then the land of Canaan. After Joshua's death, "another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done in Israel," and "then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of he Lord..."

One generation!!

We are charged to continually be writing into our kid's lives. This is an everyday process, and they are watching every move that we make. For the most part, we parents instill our child's beliefs and values, and our actions speak much louder than our words.

Back to my Bible - I hope that someday, again at an undetermined time, one of my boys will be able to carefully open it up and be blessed. I hope that they see a man whose life was blessed and full - but also a man who was constantly growing.

I hope they think it's cool.

But more than that, I hope that they have a relationship with the God who is the center of my Bible.

Psalms 78:4 "We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done."