This title is a mouthful.
And hard.
And confusing.
And A LOT!
Let me dive in and release some of the pressure on this instant pot of potential judgement.
I come from two long lines of strong pioneer stock. And I still STRUGGLE. At one point in my life, I swore that God didn't love me so what else could I do but turn my back on Him? (I was wrong. And young. And wrong.)
Sometimes, in the church, I feel like we are expected to live up to our ancestors legacies. We do this by achieving perfection, never having a bad day and always having everything put together. Why? Because our "bad days" are nothing compared to the pioneer's struggles.
...Y'all. That's dumb.
Yes, the pioneers did incredible things while under incredible hardships. Does this mean we aren't allowed the occasional (or slightly more frequent in my case) struggle or doubt?
nope.
I'll say it again for the people in the back.
NOPE. You are allowed to have hard days and struggles and questions and doubts. You are allowed to be human! And you are also allowed to take a portion of your ancestor's strength to get you through.
The pioneers suffered incredible things. They had bad days. They had questions. They had angers and doubts and frustrations. But they also had their testimony. (P.s. I have a testimony that you did not have to be a pioneer to suffer hardships or go through the refiner's fire. I'm just spouting from my own library of ancestor stories.)
So when I struggle, do I throw my hands up with exasperation and give up because I'm not living up to my predecessors? Sometimes! Just kidding (mostly). I look at the legacy of faith they have left me, borrow a small or medium, or colossal portion of their strength to get me through and I carry on.
Most of my struggles are because of my toddler who thinks he is a full grown man and can do whatever he pleases. Heaven help me. But if my great great great grandmother can give birth under an apron and two days later catch up to the pioneers, I can show my son some patience with a healthy dose of "Oh child. No no no."
We are sent to the earth when we are meant to be here. My ancestors were meant to be pioneers to leave me their legacy and example. I was meant to live in air conditioning with good public schools. And I was also meant to leave my legacy and example to those who come after me.
Just as I draw strength and lean on the faith of my ancestors, I want my children and grand children and great great great etc. grandchildren to be able to do the same. One day, when they are sure that God has forsaken them, I want them to be able to recall that I bore some pretty major trials, and came out stronger. I want them to lean on my faith and borrow my testimony in their moments of weakness.
And I want them to know, that it is a totally acceptable option. They are not weak for having questions, or struggles, or doubts, or fears. They are stronger for choosing to hold tight to what they know and borrow strength from those who have come before.
And hard.
And confusing.
And A LOT!
Let me dive in and release some of the pressure on this instant pot of potential judgement.
I come from two long lines of strong pioneer stock. And I still STRUGGLE. At one point in my life, I swore that God didn't love me so what else could I do but turn my back on Him? (I was wrong. And young. And wrong.)
Sometimes, in the church, I feel like we are expected to live up to our ancestors legacies. We do this by achieving perfection, never having a bad day and always having everything put together. Why? Because our "bad days" are nothing compared to the pioneer's struggles.
...Y'all. That's dumb.
Yes, the pioneers did incredible things while under incredible hardships. Does this mean we aren't allowed the occasional (or slightly more frequent in my case) struggle or doubt?
nope.
I'll say it again for the people in the back.
NOPE. You are allowed to have hard days and struggles and questions and doubts. You are allowed to be human! And you are also allowed to take a portion of your ancestor's strength to get you through.
The pioneers suffered incredible things. They had bad days. They had questions. They had angers and doubts and frustrations. But they also had their testimony. (P.s. I have a testimony that you did not have to be a pioneer to suffer hardships or go through the refiner's fire. I'm just spouting from my own library of ancestor stories.)
So when I struggle, do I throw my hands up with exasperation and give up because I'm not living up to my predecessors? Sometimes! Just kidding (mostly). I look at the legacy of faith they have left me, borrow a small or medium, or colossal portion of their strength to get me through and I carry on.
Most of my struggles are because of my toddler who thinks he is a full grown man and can do whatever he pleases. Heaven help me. But if my great great great grandmother can give birth under an apron and two days later catch up to the pioneers, I can show my son some patience with a healthy dose of "Oh child. No no no."
We are sent to the earth when we are meant to be here. My ancestors were meant to be pioneers to leave me their legacy and example. I was meant to live in air conditioning with good public schools. And I was also meant to leave my legacy and example to those who come after me.
Just as I draw strength and lean on the faith of my ancestors, I want my children and grand children and great great great etc. grandchildren to be able to do the same. One day, when they are sure that God has forsaken them, I want them to be able to recall that I bore some pretty major trials, and came out stronger. I want them to lean on my faith and borrow my testimony in their moments of weakness.
And I want them to know, that it is a totally acceptable option. They are not weak for having questions, or struggles, or doubts, or fears. They are stronger for choosing to hold tight to what they know and borrow strength from those who have come before.
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