Forever There

Psalm 78:2-4 – I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old — 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. (NIV)

I am not an antique collector, but my relatives have passed down a few things that I cherish. One of these articles is a tattered green autograph album that belonged to my great-grandmother, Sarah. Carefully, I read each article, and smiled at some of the writings, for I recognized them as being the same verses my friends used when writing in my album many years ago. However, the one autograph that Sarah's mother, Agnes, wrote in 1884 expressed a truth that bears repeating today.

We may write our names in albums,
Or trace them in the sand,
Or even chisel them in marble,
But soon each name will fade away.
But daughter there is an album
Full of leaves of snowy white
Where no name is ever tarnished
But forever pure and bright.
In that book of life, God's album,
May your name be penned with care,
And may all who here may write
Have their names forever there.
– Agnes Green, July 5, 1884

These thoughts started me thinking. Have we taken the time to instruct our children in God's truths? Do they know about God's album? When our children and future generations discover what we have written, will they be pointed to our heavenly Father?

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for those who have gone before us and taught us Your truths. Help us to do the same for our generation and those who come behind us. Amen.