2 Samuel 25-29 “Now, O Lord God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as You have said.  So let Your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You.  For You, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You. And now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant.  Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You, O Lord God, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”

I love how David just talks to the Lord like God is his friend. Oh yeah, he is. Please don’t think I’m trying to minimize God or his position on the throne, I’m simply stating that God is looking for friendship with us, fellowship, exchange of dialog. This all began when David wanted to build a house for the Lord and it pleased God. After David was told that it wasn’t his place to build it but that honor would be passed on to his son, David went and talked with the Lord to thank and worship him. What a beautiful relationship they had.

As I reflected on this generational blessing, I thought of my maternal grandparents, Charles and Ruth Smith. They were responsible for starting two churches in the Lansing area, committed to serving the Lord in any capacity they could. I have fond memories of Grandma sitting in her favorite chair with her giant bible in her lap as she would teach us about Revelation and Jesus’ soon return. When I returned from Haiti as a young adult, I was honored to live with them and invited to join them each night as they sat on the bedside and quoted a Psalm. How they loved the Lord. Out of their line came 4 daughters who formed a quartet, each one married and had a family, teaching them to love the Word and worship. Only two sisters remain and have an intimate love of the Word and the Lord. 

I am one generation removed and that love of God and the Word has infected me as well. Generationally positioned just as Davids family through the ages, the mark of God on a family is amazing.  I watch the next generation rise up and leave a mark on the world and I’m in awe. Stacy and Shannon are destined to do far greater things than I could ever hope for and their children after them will rise up and also accomplish greater things. 

Perhaps you didn’t have grandparents like I did. Maybe you’re the first in your family to know God, to trust God, to have faith in Him and fall in love with his Word. Perhaps it will be you to begin a new lineage, to rise up and proclaim Gods favor over your home and family. Even if you don’t have family or have hopes of having children yourself, you can mark the lives of those around you by loving God with your whole heart, soul and mind. You have the ability to infect others with the passionate light you carry on the inside of you. Don’t hide your light. Burn bright and affect the darkness.