Issue 11, Aug 2008
The wind was still this morning, so the air is heavy and harder to breathe. But it was 103 in Killeen, TX. That makes our 97 degree weather seem less 97-ish.
It is human nature to rejoice at the misfortune of another though we seem to sympathize. Schadenfreude the Germans called it. Literally the word means joy over the harm or pain of another. It is that perverse pleasure from others' misfortune that we try to hide under a coat of empathy. And the more we enjoy their mishap, the more syrupy our sympathy gets. No, never happened to you. OK.
Wife Ruth’s side of the family has held an annual family reunion since she was a little girl. Back then her brothers decided it would be nice to spend some time together as a family each year. So they decided on the third Sunday in July and that date has never changed.
I remember watching cousin Margaret trying to convince her two sons, eight and ten or so, to enjoy the day. They were ‘bored’, as most young people are at such gatherings. So I suggested they ask their uncle Ed how he ever got to raising seed corn or another uncle how he managed to farm and run a milk route. They did and learned a lot about their family and, as Margaret told me later, really enjoyed their day with the family.
That’s just it, Isn’t it? When we are young such things as family get-togethers are a bore. We have other more pressing things to do. Later, after uncles and aunts are taken from us, we would like another chance to sit down and ask about things in our family history. We get interested in why something happened or what happened to make such and such a result. But then it’s too late to get the news we long for.
So, my word to you is to make use of the time and ask NOW.
It is interesting that the Book of Chronicles gives chapter after chapter of names, of descendants etc. And the Bible also points out that certain ones could not serve as priests because “their name was not found" (cf.
2 Chronicles 31).
So family history if important. The psalmist says,
“For the Lord is good, His love endures forever,
His faithfulness continues through all generations”
Psalm 100,5.
Reunions, reminders of where we came from, our history, our ancestry, all important to our well-being, Cherish them. And may the Lord bless the work.
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