My husband I recently watched an interesting documentary. It was titled the League of Grateful Sons. It related the story of a group of men who traveled to the South Pacific and the island of Iwo Jima to commemorate the WWII battle there and our ultimate victory there. In the group were a few of the actual survivors of that battle, who returned with the sons and grandsons of many of the fallen soldiers. The focus of the group and the movie was to remember and honor the sacrifices of the many who fought there and to tell their stories. The real impact came from the testimonies and heart of several of the sons and grandsons of these soldiers who brought their sons (and daughter) to this place to teach them of their legacy. They did not want the honor and bravery displayed there to be forgotten. They wanted to instill in their own children the values of courage and duty, sacrifice and giving oneself for what is good and true. They wanted the stories to be real and remembered. Two oft repeated phrases really touched me. These young men would say “I do not want them(the next generation) to forget” or “ If I don’t tell them , who will?” God has this same heart and intent for us.
In the Old Testament God often called the fathers to build altars of remembrance, to always be ready to tell “the story”. Psalms78:3-7 states …what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power and the wonders he has done….He commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children not yet to be born and they in turn would tell their children, then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” Lessons from history are important to the fabric of our lives. There is a place for patriotism; and love and duty to one’s own country are honorable, but how much more Honor is due to the Lord of all creation, the giver and sustainer of our very lives. He is the Sovereign Lord over all History.
How intentional are we as mothers and fathers to continually bring to our children’s remembrance the goodness of God, indeed the greatness of our God. To tell the stories of His mighty deeds and marvelous works. We have a soon-to-be celebrated holiday called Thanksgiving. For a week or so we are encouraged to be thankful, to remember and recount our many blessings, “to count them every one”. But are we mindful of them for only one week each year?
Are we raising our children and grandchildren to be a” League of Grateful Sons and Daughters”?
Do the young ones hear over and over again the stories of the faithfulness of mighty God as well as the faith stories of their own fathers and mothers and other family members?
Have the concepts of the awesome Holiness of God coupled with His unimaginable Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness showered on His children, been instilled in the hearts and minds of our children?
Do we daily demonstrate our own personal forever gratefulness to Him?
Maybe it is time we all started doing a little more storytelling ourselves.
