The Gift of History

Tell your children about it in the years to come.  Pass the awful story down from generation to generation. 

Joel 1:3

It is so important to share your story with your children.  History is taught for many reasons but one is to teach people about the things that went wrong so that they aren't repeated.  History is also used to warn people of the terrible things that could happen if one doesn't follow direction or the law.  History is written down so that people can remember the good things that happened.  So much can be learned from teaching a story about things that happened in the past, such as this mentioned in Joel.  The people were experiencing a horrible plague of locusts that swept through the land and destroyed all of their crops.  This plague was a warning of God's judgement to come if they did not repent of their sin and turn back to God.  He was pleading with the people to share this with their children, in fact, to pass it down from generation to generation.  He didn't want this destruction to go unnoticed and saw a way that it could be used for good.  When we share our own stories it is because we have learned something from them and we want others to do the same.  We can make our stories worthwhile the more we share them, teaching others from our past failures and successes.  It is our responsibility to share our history over and over teaching our children and grandchildren the important lessons we learned in our past.  We can use those stories, just like Joel, to warn them and or encourage them to make the right decisions.  This Christmas, in place of one fancy gift sitting under the tree, give the gift of your history.  Share your life's story with someone who needs encouragement or someone who you see heading in the same direction you once found yourself in.  If you have learned an important lesson in life from your past share it with someone facing the same thing.  Our stories can be used as a warning or encouragement and are meant to be passed along to help others.  Even if your story is one of pain and despair it can be redeemed and used to glorify God when we share them to help others.They are a gift from God to be passed down from generation to generation.  Thank God for your story and use it to help others!