Picker Point

July24th

Generations of Faithfulness

Author: Mary Beth | Posted in: Home Life & Family, Spiritual

Gravette15.jpgWe recently spent the weekend with my husband’s grandparents in northwest Arkansas. We enjoyed spending time with them and introducing them to their new great-grandson. At 83, Casey’s granddad is the oldest of all of our grandparents; he has lived a long, full life and could spend hours telling stories of all that he has seen and done.

As I watched him hold Caleb, I thought of the people that must have surrounded him when he was a baby. I thought of his parents, grandparents, siblings, and aunts and uncles. I wonder if his mother looked forward to his birth just as I did Caleb’s. I wonder if his family laughed as he cooed and smiled and enjoyed watching his every move. I wonder if they tried to decide who he looked like and what he would do when he grew older. I wonder if he was surrounded with the same love and hope that surrounds Caleb. And I wonder if his great-grandfather ever held him with the same gentleness and peace that I saw in his face as he held Caleb.

Now he is surrounded by an entirely different group of people. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have replaced the parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents of his childhood. And now he is part of the family that has welcomed Caleb into the world. Here he stands, on the other edge of life, as Caleb’s only connection to the ancestors that he will never know, and I can’t help but wonder if he thinks of the people that will fill Caleb’s life in eighty years.

It is my prayer that Caleb will also live a long and full life, just like his great-granddad, and that someday he will sit with his great-grandson in his arms and think of all of us who went before him. I pray that he will see the legacy that we will never see and that he will be amazed by God’s faithfulness that continues long after we are gone.

  • http://www.caseypicker.com Casey

    Amen! I’m looking forward to MANY more well written posts like this one. You have such a way with words…

  • Kurt (Pops)

    What a blessing to have been given a legacy and look forward to leaving one. I’m sure Caleb will be a wonderful Great Granddad. I wish I could be around to see it. Let’s see…I’d be a Great Great Great Granddad…I think. I guess that’s why we don’t live that long. No one’s that great!

  • Allan

    There are those who would say that this is merely a poetic glimpse of the cyclical exchange between life and death as winter melts into spring. They, however, are misled. This is not a glimpse of something circular but of something linear. It is not meaningless but purposefully progressive, and it is not repetitive but enduring. This is a picture of the passing of the flame of truth through the dampening rains of doubt and confusion. It now comes to us and we must see it carried high for all to see no matter what resistance we enounter until the Bridegroom is told “the time has come.”
    Thank you for capturing this moment in a way that only you can, Sis. What a victory for the King!

  • Roxy Picker

    Mary Beth,

    How wonderful! I hope Dad gets to read this. I too pray Caleb will live a long life full of loving family. He has a Christian heritage just as his great grandad had!
    love,
    Roxy

  • Bill D. Oakley

    Mary Beth, your contemplations of Caleb’s ancestors past and descendants future, were sweet–and so beautifully written. I have often entertained just such thoughts in my research of our family histories. An elderly lady once said to me, “As you are, I once was–and, as I am, you one day will be.” God’s blessings on your, Casey, Caleb and all your loved ones.

    Papa & Mema

  • Grandad Stanford

    I love this blog!! Caleb is so blessed to have parents like his mom and dad.

  • Cory

    O.K….you made me cry!! It is such a blessing that Caleb, Carter and Cameron have so many wonderful great grandparents. You are such a talented writer! I love your new blog. I wonder why you chose the color purple?? :)

  • Nana

    I feel God has just given me another blessing. I have never been prouder of you all. I can hardly see because of the tears, please keep it coming. I feel soooo blessed and so proud to be a part of this family (entire). Mary Beth you are extraordinary. The ability you have has barely been used. There is so much God has planned for you and now you are seeking and working. I want to be a part of this and anytime I am available to you. Keep up the wonderful work and I enjoy it so much. I love you.

  • Mom

    What a beautiful thought. I’m so thankful for the heritage of love and faith received from my grandparents. I’m loving every minute of being Caleb’s grandma and I’m praying that God will give me the opportunity to share with him all the things that are so dear to me. “His faithfulness continues to all generations,” Praise God!
    love mom

  • http://everydaymommy.net Everyday Mommy

    Congratulations! You are a finalist in the Hidden Treasure Blog Awards. Visit http://www.everdaymommy.net for the details.

    Jules
    http://www.EverydayMommy.net

  • http://www.thehutch.typepad.com Rabbit

    What a lovely tribute to family – past, present and future. Beautiful!

  • http://bessiesimpledays.blogspot.com Bessie

    Since Caleb has a mother (and I imagine a father) who have a vision for Godliness, I’m certain he’ll be surrounded with those that he carries a vision for!

    Great post! God bless your little family!

  • http://overwhelmedwithjoy.blogspot.com Overwhelmed!

    Hi there! I’m here from Jules “Hidden Treasure” post. Congrats on making it as a finalist!

    This is an excellent post! I love the picture too. My husband, a photographer, took a picture of our son’s hand (as a newborn) next to our son’s grandmother’s hand. We love the contrast between the smooth & wrinkled skin.

    Thanks for sharing!

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  • http://strandedinthemountains.blogspot.com/ Kathleen Marie

    What a fine post and so true. We can hope and pray and train up our children to love and serve the Lord.

    Blessings! And congrats on your nomination!

  • http://ittybittybitsofme.blogspot.com Jessica

    What a beautiful post! I linked from Everyday Mommy and I am so glad I did! My husband and I were just talking about how thankful we are that our girls are getting to make memories with their 2 remaining great-grandparents. Well said!

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