A Special Note
As I began to go through the contents of that redwood box, I noticed a special note in my Grandfather’s handwriting on an envelope that contained a small worn-out book of the Gospel of John:
My Dad, Elmer carried this book in his pocket a lot.
Sort of an idea how he read scripture and studied it.
Eugene
Save this away
Whoa! What a note and message from my Grandfather about his Dad, my Great Grandfather. The little book of John within it is about three inches tall by three inches wide and is still mostly legible, but it is falling apart like an old parchment found in cave. I realized then that this little book of John was over 170 years old! My Great Grandfather Elmer and Great Grandmother Ellen Kiefer (descended from German immigrants) lived in the 1870’s. I discovered a picture of them in front of their homesteading house in Lawrence Kansas. They were holding my Grandfather Eugene as a small baby boy. Elmer most likely had that little book of John in his coat pocket in that very picture I was holding.
Wow, it really hit me hard to think I was sharing in this communication and knowledge between my ancestors from long ago. Like I was being sent back in time to reach into Elmer’s coat pocket to grab ahold of that little book.
The Same Date
And this discovery and “Story” gets even better. I discovered this redwood box on July 5th this year. As I continued to inspect it, I found that my Grandfather Eugene had written on the inside of the redwood box in black ink:
“A Gift for Sharon, Karl, Sheri, Shauna and Kent July 5th, 1976.”
Whaaaaat? Exactly 48 years ago on the SAME DATE of July 5th this redwood box was given as a Gift to my mom, dad, sisters and me. The Lord is truly wonderful, and I believe HE sent this message and incredible memory to me as I continue to seek Him and be comforted by Him in the grief and loss of both my wife and my Dad over the last few years. My Great Grandfather Elmer’s faith and legacy with the Lord continues with me, Kent, my mom, Sharon, my sisters, Sheri and Shauna, and all of our kids, cousins, nephews, nieces, all of them who decide to follow Christ.
That Same Faith Continues
Timothy, the apostle Paul’s disciple, mentee and protégé, had an incredible Grandparent and Parent. According to the New Testament, Lois was the grandmother of Timothy. Lois was born into the Jewish faith and, along with her daughter Eunice, later believed Jesus to be the Messiah. Their faith and legacy was passed onto Timothy. The apostle wrote a letter to Timothy communicating this very fact, found in 2 Timothy 1:
“Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.”
This is such an encouraging testimony and witness to the Legacy that was passed on to Timothy through his family. Our SIU partners, leaders, trainers, board and staff often talk about this story and the Legacy of faith being passed on through multiple generations.
What Kind of Legacy are You Leaving?
Sooooooooo…after hearing these stories, I ask this simple question: What kind of Legacy are you leaving? Who are you investing in and mentoring? How are you spending your time in discipling and leaving a Legacy of faith with your circle of family and friends?
The Lord clearly desires that you do so.
Comments
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Thank you for sharing this story! It is edifying and a glory to God! May God use all of us to keep stories like this moving forward in the generations to come!
Thanks, Jonathan. We thank God for you and legacy of faith with your family.
Blessings,
Kent
Thank you for sharing this! It reminds me thanksgiving my thank me is short and beautiful have to be blessed so about the Fathers
business🙏 I too need to leave words to leave be by for my children and grandchild. Thank you against n!!🙏😊
Thank you, Jane. We thank God for you and legacy of faith with your family.
Blessings,
Kent
Thank you for blessing me with this beautiful account of your family legacy. As a retired schoolteacher, my legacy has been to homeschool my four grandchildren through their elementary school years.
Thank you, Lyne. We thank God for you and legacy of faith with your family.
Blessings,
Kent
Wow! It is so inspiring and also thought provoking. May the Lord use us all to live Godly lives and leave footprints for our generations to follow so that none after us will be lost but be guided to make it into His Glorious Kingdom.
Thank you, Senyo. We thank God for you and legacy of faith with your family.
Blessings,
Kent