One of the great beauties of this day is that it was forged by men and women who put everything on the line to create a better life – not only for themselves but for their children and grandchildren.
In this day and age, there is a lot of controversy over many of the days that we celebrate. Christmas is offensive because it celebrates the birth of Christ. Easter - because we focus on His resurrection. Men fight against prayer and the Ten Commandments, only to discover that their elimination has added to the chaos that now ensues in our schools and society.
Every decision you make has an outcome – on you, on your children, and on the society that is being formed for your grandchildren. The early settlers figured this out. They came to this country looking for a better life. They made numerous mistakes along the way. They initially tried to establish their settlements as “common property” wherein everyone was laboring for a common fund and each person would receive an equal share of what was grown. They soon discovered that such a life – later known as socialism – produced an acute lack of effort on the part of many. The mindset developed among many that curtailed the incentive to produce their best. Men could not embrace the idea that they must work for others who would not work as diligently for themselves.
Something had to be done. Property was divided and men began to practice trade. It changed the game for the early settlers. They labored with far greater diligence because they were now set to provide for not only themselves, but for their future generations.
Future generations. That was the key. Our forefathers built everything they did with a [picture of the future in mind. It is a Biblical principle. “This will be to your children, to your children’s children and to their children.” The bible often referenced to the third and fourth generation.
It also taught the benefits of apprenticeship. Parents taught their children early and help to launch them into adulthood and into commerce or trade early. It insured that their children (now adults) could have their best opportunity to produce when they were at the peak of their adult strength. It insured that their adult children would have ample opportunity through their labor to provide for the later seasons in their own life as well as an inheritance for their children. And it afforded the greatest opportunity for a proper work ethic to be passed down through the generations.
When one is unable to launch in season his hopes are “put off” until later seasons. In short, his hopes are deferred. The Bible teaches that hope deferred makes the heart sick. The delay created in launching the next generation in proper season makes for a sick hearts. It damages the ability to move ahead with the greatest strength. It hinders relationships. It colors the past and damages the future.
Today, as I consider my own ancestry, I am thankful that there was a determination on the part of my forefathers to challenge their sons. I am thankful that a large part of their vision was to make certain that the future generations would launch in season. I am thankful that they understood what God demonstrated in His word regarding future generations. And I am thankful for the great personal sacrifice they made to offer the best possible future for my life.
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