Lost Families

I did not grow up with grandparents to speak of. I never knew any of my grandparents on my father's side and only knew my mother's father but he did not come around much.  My biological father was not around, I suppose he thought the family was a bother.  It was probably for the best, the time I did know him he was not fit to be a father and have only scary memories.  I contacted his sister Mary back in I think it was 2005 after the passing of her mother, my grandmother.  Not sure how I even came across the obituary but I did. I suppose that was God putting this in my path.  Even though I did not know Mary or my grandmother, Emma Lee Reeves Lucas, I felt this urge to call her and give my condolences.  We had a good conversation that continues to this day.  She informed me that my grandfather, William Buford Lucas, had passed away a few years prior. Made me very sad that To know I had waited too late to ever get that chance to know either of them.  I'm sure I could have searched and found them earlier if I pursued it.  One of life's many regrets that I will have to live with. The faults of their son should not have stopped the relationships between grandkids/grandparents. Others talk about their family and I can only imagine what they are feeling.  

I've got a point to this I promise.

My new found Aunt Mary sent me a box of items that we, my 2 brothers and I, played with at our grandparent's house when we were really small.  They kept them all these years. Wow! Keeping these things over 40 years through I'm sure several moves, must have meant a lot to them.  She was very adamant that my grandparents always prayed for us even though they didn't know where we were and couldn't talk to us.  Along with these items, I was sent their bibles.  I did not originally accept their bibles because they had kids/grandkids that would really enjoy having them.  Aunt Mary simply said please take them they all have known them for a lifetime and you boys did not.  I graciously accepted them.  Now as I read/study with their bibles I feel like I could be reading the same scriptures as they once did. I did not know them but have learned about them through some writings next to the scriptures. Makes you feel like they are there with me at times.  I do appreciate the generosity in these gifts more than words can say.  These Bibles have come to be a true treasure to me.  Thank you for these Aunt Mary.   

People go through lots of turmoil in this life.  Sometimes people are forced to make decisions in life for a reason.  Protecting your kids in anyone's standards are on the top of that list.  It is a shame that because of one person so many lives change for generations to come.  Fathers and mothers alike need to work together to keep their families love each other for as long as they are here on this Earth.  

Working Hard - Listen to God

We are told as young kids and adults alike that if we work hard and always do what's right you will achieve your goals, you will be successful.  You will achieve what you're working so hard for.  Good things come to those who have high integrity and high moral values ("good people").

That's not always true though is it.  Life seems not fair at times.  Sometimes you can put in all the work (effort) you want but to no avail, it does not go your way.  Whose fault is that?  Is it mine, yours, other people or is it due to things that are just out of your control?  What lessons are we to learn from this?  I am not sure I or anyone else can give answers to these questions.

I believe that God allows all kinds of things to happen to us for his reasons, not ours.  We may not understand them at the present but maybe he will show is in his timing.  There is always a lesson to be learned if we just spend the time and listen to what he is trying to tell us.  This is very difficult for many of us including myself.  I know that is a hard thing to hear or hard to understand when we are going through our turmoils in life.  I am learning to just trust that he is almighty and he will get me through the turmoils of life.  ”Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Life's Journey

We are all on a journey throughout this time we are here on earth.  Over the past several years, I have taken lots of time for reflection and self-evaluation.  Not all things I've said or done have been good or have honored our Father.  I have found that over the years I am indeed flawed in many ways.  Reflection on this can get you down or you can use it for personal growth and make some changes in your life.  You will find that improving yourself not only helps you but also your family for generations to come.  What you do today will change what your families legacy will become for generations.    

In life, we can interact with a few or possibly hundreds of people on a daily basis. Many of these, like-minded, people become the friends with whom we choose to travel on this journey.  But only a handful of the people with whom we interact daily will come to truly affect who we are and who we strive to be as a person.  These few people are our true mentors in this journey we call life.