Verse of the Day - Deuteronomy 32:7

Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you. ~ Deuteronomy 32:7 (NIV)

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"Not to know what has been transacted in former times is to be always a child. If no use is made of the labors of past ages, the world must remain always in the infancy of knowledge. "

Marcus Tulius Cicero (106-43 BC) Writer, politician and great roman orator


History is fascinating to me -- I don't know why. I love the History Channel and enjoy watching documentaries of real events. And the popularity of films that portray true stories of real people can't be underestimated -- their chronicles of triumph over adversity, of wisdom gained through mistakes made, of making a difference in a world of indifference. We eat this stuff up! Why? Because we're a story-telling and story-listening people.

The generations that have preceded us have a wealth of stories to tell. Our kinfolk have been through the fire of the years...and have learned many things as they passed through that fire. If we are willing to listen, we will learn many things that can shape who we become, that can shape what our history becomes. Are we willing to listen? More importantly, are we willing to learn?

Information is a great tool, but it's useless if it sits in the tool shed. It behooves us to take the information and apply wisdom for the future. This is the great "cause-and-effect". When we listen to our ancestors and see their mistakes, we can avoid those same mistakes by recognizing the truth of their cause-and-effect and applying wisdom to our future. When we hear of their victories over injustice and hardship, we can take courage in the effect of their tenacity and perseverance as we strive to do the same for our future.

God desires that we grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. These things come from Him, and are expressed often through the lips of our elders, through the whispers of our past. So, I say, sit down with grandparents and aunts and uncles. Hear their stories, and then ask them: What did you learn from that experience? Watch documentaries and listen to the heart of people who have been through the fire of life and learned from experience. They have something to say, and we need to listen.

God is the greatest History teacher we will ever have, and He uses the previous generations to teach us wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I pray we can be good students of the past and become great livers of the future.

Love,
Joelene