For this special valentine edition of Gratituesday…I want to share something that I love…our family’s Christian heritage.
As is easy to do with things we love…this is something I have taken for granted. When I’ve talked about my family in past posts and when I recently talked about Matt’s grandpa who was a godly man, several of you have pointed out how wonderful it is that we have the blessing of Christian parents and grandparents. You are so, so right. It is a huge blessing and I’m ashamed that I have not appreciated it like I should.
It is an amazing thing that both Matt and I were raised in Christian homes and had family all around us who were Christians. It is wonderful to know that because my mom loved and served God…I can have peace about where she is now. It is thrilling to think that just last Tuesday Matt’s grandpa got to join the huge joyful worship taking place in the very presence of God.
And it is an honor to be able to carry on the legacy started by our family members.
Yes there have been problems. Yes there has been sin. Yes there has been conflict. No family is perfect.
But how rich is the gift of the understanding of Christ that our parents and grandparents gave us…and that we accepted.
And now there are four more Coppinger boys in our very own house that we have the honor and challenge to pass the legacy on to. Thank you God for this lovely, joyful blessing of our Christian heritage.
May I just say a word to those of you who do not have a Christian heritage like the one I am so grateful for? YOU yourselves will be the ones your children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren will get to share the story of someday. Someday they will talk about you, their parents and grandparents, and tell about how you met Jesus and how you shared Jesus with them. You are beginning your own Christian heritage. How exciting for God to use you this way! He is so good.
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What do you love? What are you grateful for? Please share on your blog and come link up here so that we can read about how God is working in your life. If you don’t have a blog, please leave a comment to share what you are grateful for!
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It Feels Like Chaos says
Thanks for your encouragement! I come from a dysfunctional childhood family and I do feel like God has called me to stand in the gap and create a family legacy that will glorify Him for even generations to come. I pray every day for Him to enable me to fulfill this calling!
Kate says
Laura, thank you so much for sharing this, and especially for that last paragraph! I was raised in a religious home, and although the core beliefs are the same, the Christian believes my husband and I are trying to instill in our family are very different from how I was raised. We both agree that we feel like 1st generation Christians. It is exciting to think of the legacy we are creating though.
Roberta Anne says
God is so good that when I asked Jesus into my heart then followed my three children, both my parents and then my hubby. So I may have been late but all in all I ended up coming from a Christian home.
Roberta Anne
Donna says
What a rich, rich heritage you have to pass down to your boys!
But you are so right…I often tell my boys and girl that they have something so very special that they can pass on for generations to come! (- that is their faith!)
Marie says
What a great post! Thank you for sharing about your family! It truly is a blessing. And thank you for the reminder that it is great to build our family’s heritage even though my huband and I didn’t grow up with what you did! Hope you’re doing okay without your hubby.
Jill Roper says
Okay Laura,
I have to laugh. This is the second time we have had something similar!
I sure didnt have a godly heritage but I am determined by God’s amazing grace to pass one on.
Faye says
I too had the great blessing of being raised by Godly parents. Also, my grandparents, my siblings and their children and grandchildren were/are Godly people also. And it is a thrill to watch my son and daughter-in-law (Charlene/Char)raising their children in a Christian home. Praise God.
Beth@Not a Bow in Sight says
It feels like I’m a first generation Christian, even though my parents took me to church for part of my life. I’m trying to instill so much more than that in my kids. Thanks for the encouragement!
Step says
Amen! Thanks for the encouragement at the end of your post. My parents, although wonderful people, were not practicing Christians. My 3 siblings are not either, but I am, by the grace of God. I married a Godly man and it’s our desire to pass on a Christian legacy to our 3 children. How awesome is that!
Anyway, today I’m grateful for my hard-working husband and his good job. I am priviledged to be a mom and homemaker and don’t have to juggle working outside of the home. I have a sick boy today that’s home from school and I can focus on caring for him without worrying about anything else!
Sherry says
Having a Christian heritage is definitely something to be thankful for. I was raised in a Christian home, but dh wasn’t . Praise God he was saved before we were married. It is still a growing process but we’ve come a long way only with God’s help.
Em. says
It is powerful how one person’s decision can change the course of an entire family … from here until the end of time. Thank you for this post, Laura.
Jen says
Very well put. I enjoyed this post. Thank you for the encouragement.
Denai says
I am also a first gerneration Christian in my family… I mean, My mother grew up catholic, and my father knew the bible inside and out… BUT they weren’t christians in the way I think christians are… I went to church 3 times with my family at the age of 8 when we were baptised… then that is it… 3 times…
My church experience after that was with friends… and then on my own until now! Even now I go to a church with my family that we comprimised on… (I love contemporary, and my husband grew up conservitive lutheran) so we do a Contemperatry service at a lurtheran church… BUT I also go to church with a friend too, a type of church that I LOVE, but hubby would never have anything to do with…. Worshiping loudly and DIFFERENT Sermons scare him… BUT that is OK, we still are raising our children to be wonderful strong christians with giving and caring hearts!!!!!
sara says
as always, you have encouraged me. thank you for sharing such a family treasure.
Tammie @ Are You For Real? says
A Christian heritage is such a beautiful thing to leave for your children. And not only your children … but you are making deposits into the lives of all the people in your circle of influence! May God bless you with discernment and godly wisdom, so that you have a positive effect for the Kingdom of God!
The Happy Housewife says
Laura-
Thanks for posting this, I come from a Christian background but my husband does not. I try not to take it for granted, because it truly is a blessing.
Andrea in Alaska says
Hi! I am short on time and didn’t even take a moment to read your post, but I had to announce: I’m a MOMMY!
Clara Joy was born Sunday morning at 7:33am. She was 8 lbs. 10 oz and 20 inches long. She is absolutely beautiful, vibrant, and healthy. We are so incredibly blessed and I couldn’t wait to get on and share the news with you! Pictures are on our blog!