As I am writing this, my dear friend’s father-in-law is having his 88th birthday but is totally unaware of it because he is about to leave this earthly life. My friend’s husband is tending to his father and helping the mom full-time since the fall that landed his father in the hospital and hospice — and the family is gathering in support, and to say farewell.
Many similar stories have been shared in my circle of friends in recent years – and certainly it sets me to thinking once again about my own life and family.
Of course, my devotional with Henry Blackaby today fit right into the reminder of what is important about the situation. Springboarding me to think more deeply about this, he shared from the Joshua 24:18 verse which says:
But if it doesn’t please you to worship Yahweh, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship…As for me and my family, we will worship Yahweh.
The English language doesn’t have an exact translation of “Yahweh,” so in our Old Testament we see it written as LORD in all capital letters. It is the name by which God has chosen to be remembered throughout all generations. When Abraham asks God what he should tell the Israelites when they ask who sent him, he is really asking about the character and nature of God, who then replies with “I AM WHO I AM”. Thus, “I AM” and “Yahweh” are used interchangeably.
When Joshua uttered these words to the people of Israel, it was at the end of Joshua’s life. And Joshua, always the Lord’s servant, delivers a farewell address recalling the victories the Lord had given them but also reminding the people of areas yet to be possessed in the promised land. And he reminds them of the need to be loyal to God’s covenant laws, to be the people of God’s kingdom in the world.
In fact, Joshua assembles all the tribes of Israel at Shechem (elders, judges and officials, it says in scripture). Makes me think of the families gathering as a loved one has reached their end of life.
Blackaby says that serving God was not Joshua’s only option – he could have adopted religious beliefs and practice of his family heritage (pagan land of Egypt) or he could have accepted the idolatrous religion of his neighbors in the region where he lived. Both of these choices would have been easier than worshiping God – but Joshua had witnessed God’s faithfulness and was convinced that his LORD was the only true God.
Thankfully, we have the book and stories of Joshua in the Bible to outline Joshua’s life – his determination to serve God alone and, as Blackaby reminds us “to teach his entire household to honor his Lord as well.”
Then, after Joshua assembled the tribes, he followed the practice of the time in making a covenant. That is, he recited the past history of the relationship of Abraham and God, the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the Lord’s establishment of his people in Canaan (the promised land).
Back to my friend – I am so thankful, as is she, that she chose to do the Life Story of her father-in-law this past year when she was testing out my “Life-Story Album in 3 Easy Steps” course. He was not in the best health at the time and her husband would go visit his father almost daily to get one more story and a few more photos each time. As he brought them back, my friend continued her work on the project.
Now Joshua’s mission in his last days was to call the tribes of Israel to account, to “fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.”
At this time, at Shechem, the people replied to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey him.” Make note of verse 26 which says “And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the Lord.” Joshua declared the stone to be a witness to the promise of the people.
My friend’s completed digital photo album covered the life of her father-in-law including significant events (working a homesteaded ranch), their wedding along with the “fun” stories about it plus his stages of life and accomplishments all along the way up to the most recent photos with his grown grandkids. She included not only a family tree of ancestry but his wisdom and advice through his “sayings” and memories as he shared them with his son. Thankfully, he was sharp enough at those times to recount many special facts and details – some that were even new to the family.
The blessing of my friend finishing the 12×12 digital photo album of his Life Story so quickly was that her father-in-law was able to see it – and he relished it. Loved it. As did his son and the rest of the family. And now, as he is unable to recognize and interact with his family, his story is preserved not just in a printed album but in the FOREVER account of his daughter-in-law, preserved for his future generations.
In his praise for the album, his son said “these stories make my parents ALIVE”.
Joshua was able to recite Israel’s history and listen to the people’s response – and someone was writing it all down. And thankfully, we have the written story surviving these thousands of years through multiple translations.
Now you know that her father-in-law’s life story – and yours and mine – won’t be given the preserving care that the Bible was, right?
Neither can we count on being as clear at recounting our history with such an attentive audience as Joshua had. As soon as the Israelites agreed to his covenant at Shechem, the next scripture says Joshua sent the people away and “died at the age of a hundred and ten….”
As Blackaby draws his conclusion from Joshua’s story, he says “If you set your mind wholeheartedly on serving God, your example will bring a tremendous blessing to your family….Choose, as Joshua did, to serve God unashamedly with all your heart….”
And you probably know my conclusion from my friend’s experience, especially paralleled with Joshua’s – your (or your loved one’s) life story being preserved can bring a tremendous blessing to the family, not just today but for generations to come.
This reflection and their situation is making me CHOOSE to get my own life story done. It is really pressing me into action – and there are life stories of my ancestors to be done as well.
How about you? Will you choose action? Or keep thinking “someday” – and let time keep drifting by without action?
If you would like to be notified when the final revision of the Heart course “Do a Life Story Album in 3 Easy Steps” is ready for consumption, click “reply” to this email with a simple statement like “yes, let me know when it’s ready”. AS FOR ME….I am moving into action today!
