Fair warning: Steve and I welcomed our 14th grandchild this week – a beautiful baby girl named Beatrix Agnes June Rodgers (to be called “Bea”). A large name for a tiny 6 lb. 12 oz. baby to carry. It remains to be seen whether this child will be our last grandchild, since so many unforeseen circumstances can happen, but we’re guessing she’ll be the caboose.

At ages 71 (Steve) and 69 (me), a new baby leads me to God’s Word to see what He says about generations and how the actions of one generation affect the others down the line.

A WARNING

Exodus 20:4-5 gives us a very stern reminder that making and bowing down to idols will bring down long-lasting punishment and consequences. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. ⁵ You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.“(NLT) Even children in the third and fourth generations . . . . Right now I only have in front of my eyes the first and second generations after me. I must remember that words and deeds have the power to go far past the people who come to my house for Christmas. For good or for bad, those after me will feel the effects.

GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS

God told His people through Moses to remember what He had done for them and to tell their children and grandchildren about His powerful provision and care. Deuteronomy 4:9 – “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.” And in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, He says, “And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. ⁷ Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”

OUR PROMISES BACK TO GOD AS THANKS FOR HIS PROVISION

Keep taking care of us, Dear God, and we’ll be careful to give You the glory and praise. Psalm 71:18 – “Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” And Psalm 79:13 – “Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever and ever, praising your greatness from generation to generation.”

Now that I think about it, I believe God led me to these verses as a preparation for this year’s Cousins Camp which starts on July 21st. Seven days to love, enjoy, speak truth to, laugh with and instruct 12 grandchildren. What are the verses saying to you today?