A Dash Of Irish

Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.

“Scooch closer together!” I called, trying to include as much of the historic town square as possible while omitting random passersby in the picture of Aaron and our two kids. “Great! Okay, now smile!”

My heart fluttered as I snapped the photo of my loved ones standing smack-dab in Birr’s town center in County Offaly, Ireland. A multi-great-grandfather of my husband walked these cobblestones, and I—for a tiny moment—wished desperately for my own kinship connection to this beautiful land even as I was thrilled we’d made the trek for Aaron and the kids.

Lord, is it possible I have even one tiny drop of blood tying me to this place? If I do, could you reveal it to me? That was my unspoken prayer as I trotted my way back to my family, ready to spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding area.

As we stood on a hill overlooking Birr, reading the historic caption about the ruins of a monastery, I felt the Holy Spirit gently stirring in my heart. People who loved Jesus had prayed and worshiped and walked upon this same land hundreds of years before Aaron’s direct ancestors. That means I have “family” from this gorgeous place, and you do too.

While our human lineage can sometimes be complicated—filled with hard stories, less-than-virtuous forerunners, or DNA tests leaving us with a longing to be from a physical place we’ve grown to love—we’re also adopted into a spiritual lineage and a spiritual family. And that spiritual family is filled with imperfect people who were courageous and brave, who loved God and others, and who set the example for us to follow.

Isn’t it encouraging to remember that others have walked in the same faith that we walk, have encountered God intimately through hard and joy-filled moments, have failed before repenting and trying again successfully? We are not alone on this journey, and our faith ancestors are encouraging and cheering us on.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Read the list in Hebrews 11 of faith heroes who have gone before us, thanking God for our incredible spiritual lineage. Keep these heroes in mind the next time you feel alone in your faith.