Generational Influence: A Story of Love From a Grandmother and Granddaughter

Family has a way of being able to influence us in so many ways. Many families have a tradition, when celebrating holidays, recipes passed down from Mother to daughter, Grandmother to granddaughter, and so on. Generational influence means shared beliefs, values, and behaviors within a culture. Just as a family’s palate can be influenced. God specifically refers to this type of influence affecting generations within a family when he says:

And I will establish my covenant between Me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your offspring after you (Genesis 17:7).

For this reason, I felt it was only fitting to bring in and consult my Grandmother Jane as she was my inspiration for this post. We feel it’s important to examine the generational influence and the impacts that can be made not only in our own lives but also in those who come after us. My grandmother, who has lived out generational influence, shares her experience of how so many generations have been able to have the seed of faith planted in their family line. Starting with her great-grandmother, a strong Christian woman, who took in elderly women to care for in their last days. Through her love of God and her Godly influence, she raised her family in God’s house. Seeing this, her son Arnold, became a strong Christian man. Arnold grew to be an elder in the church and a wonderful example for his community, but especially for his granddaughter Jane. Arnold set such a positive environment for Jane through his patience, his love, and his non-judging attitude towards everyone that she experienced what the love of Jesus was like- lived out through him. As she states, “I never heard him say one bad word or lose his temper with anyone in my life! He was such a wonderful person.” He and his wife would pick up Jane and her sisters at a very early age every Sunday to take them to church and make sure the children were involved. Whether it be the choir, plays, or Sunday school, Arnold and his wife always ensured the next generation was learning what it meant to live their life for God.

John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another, As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” The foundation of being able to have a relationship with God was planted. Through this great example, Jane brought her children and her grandchildren to church and showed them the same example that she was taught. “Train up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it in his old age." (Proverbs 22:6) This last verse has been the catalyst that is now six generations deep. Through this teaching, generations have been able to experience and live in the presence of God because of this influence.   

Next week this discussion will be more detailed on generational influence and how God’s hand is involved in every part of our lives.   

With Love,  

Kristen and Jane