Pass It On

We had a long week this past week with the passing of my grandmother. What an amazing lady. Of course, in remembering her, we spent hours going through old pictures. That’s how I came across the one above.

Makes you laugh, doesn’t it? The crazy idea that we used to strap infants in that way? My siblings and I passed it around and shook our heads. I tucked it away to bring home and put up on Facebook for a good laugh. As I scanned it into my computer, I began to think…

How lucky am I that someone before me learned a better way to secure children into cars—and passed it on. My children today are safer because of it. Sure, someone could have rigged up a better system and only shared it with those close to them, but they didn’t. They shared what they knew to help others. It has changed lives.

I guess, in some small way, the picture reminded me of my family. Not only did we attend my grandmother’s funeral this week, but we also had the chance to celebrate Father’s Day. These celebrations of life gave me a glimpse of how blessed I am. Somewhere along my family line, someone realized we were not belted in safely—that there was a better way of doing things…God…and they passed Him on. Today, I am belted in securely through my life because of what they’ve taught me, and so are my children.

How about you? Are you secure today because of those that have gone before you? If so, keep passing it on. God charges us in Deuteronomy 11:18&19 to “fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” In other words—pass it on. His commands, His Word, even His all-encompassing love.

If you haven’t had those before to teach you, let it start with you. God wants to change your life. Right now you’re driving along, strapped in no better than the child above is, and He’s got something so much better for you—and it’s as simple as asking. Romans 10:9 tells us that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” And once you ask Him in, you’ll never go back.

So keep moving forward. Whether you’re new to the faith or an old saint. Dig into the Word, find a Godly church for you and you’re family, and keep passing your faith on. Strap yourself and your child in tightly with God. There is nothing more important you could ever do. It will change lives. I look back through my family line and know it has changed mine. For that, I am forever thankful.