Uncle Jerry: PBY Pilot

YOUR FAMILY HISTORY is a gift only you can give. One generation may mock another for keeping money under the mattress or saving cottage cheese cartons . . . until they hear how their great-grandparents survived bank closures and the shortages of the Great Depression. Nieces and nephews, children, and grandchildren have an entirely different lens on life than those of previous generations. Expanding textbook history with family stories, however, develops a new respect, a broader perspective, and even wisdom.

I remember wandering through the Tillamook Air Museum with my husband. A history buff, he was fascinated by the vintage planes. I was not—until I came across a PBY. This was the plane my Uncle Jerry flew during WWII in the Pacific theater! I was riveted. It seemed so small. His stories came alive for me, right there in that Tillamook hangar. Uncle Jerry had told me of offering rescue to a downed Japanese pilot who refused his help. For the Japanese pilot, honor was more important than survival. When history is peopled with the experiences of our relatives, it becomes interesting, even intense.

Like Uncle Jerry, each of us have had experiences that could enrich the following generations. This is why Heritage of Hope encourages you to take the time to tell your stories whether you record them, video them, or write them. It is a gift only you can give . . . a gift of history, identity and belonging. Ask God to enable you to capture the stories that make your family unique. Future generations may pursue genealogy, but only you can preserve the humorous tales and sentimental moments in which you participated. RESOURCES:  Blogs: 4 Ways to Tell Your Story.  Infinite Impact by Stu Weber

YOUR BLESSING is a gift only you can give. Giving a blessing is a biblical tradition. According to Gary Smalley & John Trent, a blessing typically contains meaningful touch, spoken words, an expression of high value, picturing a special future, and an active commitment. Check out the Heritage of Hope video, HOPE, in which Josiah Dudley’s grandfather picked specific verses to bless and inspire each of his grandchildren. Josiah’s pleasure in his grandfather’s blessing motivates me. We know our children as no one else. Who else remembers the intimate or humorous specifics of their childhoods? Ask God what they need to hear from you especially, and write it down . . . perhaps include the verses you pray for them regularly? There are words of encouragement you can speak to them that no one else can. Why not do so in a way that will bless them deeply? The world bombards our people with negative messages every day. Words are so powerful. They can do terrible harm, or they can give hope, confidence, comfort, peace, and absolution. Let us speak forth blessing and write it down, so it can be read and reread after we have gone home.  Why not re-introduce this biblical tradition in your family? RESOURCES: HOPE video on our website, The Blessing by Gary Smalley & John Trent

YOUR PRAYERS are a gift only you can give. In Jesus’ name, we may ask God to rescue, protect, enlighten, empower, and guide those we love. Even though we experience marvelous, amazing answers that cause us to rejoice, some things seem to remain the same. Unanswered prayer can be terribly disheartening as the years go by. However, we have not yet seen the end of His story. In Revelation 5:8, the angels pour out golden bowls of incense which—represent our prayers, the prayers of the saints! Our requests in Jesus’ name do not hit the ceiling and disappear. They are saved and answered in God’s timing. God wastes nothing! He is faithful and true even if we do not understand his timing or his ways. We do, however, understand that we are to pray. It matters. James 4:2c tells us, You do not have, because you do not ask. I sometimes wonder if the purpose of the physical decline associated with long life is to prompt us to do less and pray more! Let’s humble ourselves under His mighty hand (1 Peter 5:6) and ask Him to do what we cannot—work good and marvelous things in the hearts, minds and bodies of those we love. Whatever the status of our finances, we are able to build a TRUST FUND OF PRAYER for those we love. RESOURCES: John 15:17 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. Psalms 141:2 Let my prayer be set before you as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 

YOUR TESTIMONY is an intimate gift only you can give. Do your grandchildren know how you first heard about the Lord Jesus  Christ? Of course, they may or may not be currently  interested. In reading the gospels, I notice that Jesus persistently asked people what they wanted and needed from him. The Lord did not teach the disinterested, a word that may describe your loved ones just now. Don’t be discouraged! If you take the time to describe how you met Jesus, what He has come to mean to you, how he has answered specific prayers, and your peace at this point in life, you will create a testimony that will be treasured when those who outlive you are putting together your memorial service! At that moment, your journey of faith will be of great interest. Consequently, now is the time for each of us to prayerfully prepare a document (or video) for that moment of interest. RESOURCES: Revelation 12:11 They triumphed over him (the accuser of the brethren) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

WHAT CAN YOU ALONE GIVE YOUR PEOPLE?  There are four unique gifts you alone can give your people: (1) your family history, (2) your blessing, (3) your prayers, and (4) your testimony. You need only be motivated and persistent enough to preserve your story and witness, loving enough to bless, and humble enough to pray. You need not be wealthy to richly bless your descendants.