Gina Caswell Kelly
I watched my grandson play his first football game last night as a “Real live Brownfield Cub.” He has looked forward to this moment for so many years. I have looked forward to it right along with him.
He plays with a legacy behind him. In the BHS Field House, there is an old football helmet that sits in the trophy case which has his great-grandad’s name on it. His uncle Kyle also played in those Cub colors and now Braylon. I love that legacy. I love the memories and the history behind it all. There is something special about knowing that Royce Kelly wore those same colors in the early 1950s and that Kyle wore those same colors in the 1990s and here we are in this very strange time, and there is Braylon out there on that same field wearing those same colors and continuing that Cub tradition.
Legacy is important. But, as much as this Cub legacy means to me, what means more to me is the legacy of a family that follows God. I have told the story before of how Grady Dickson took Mike’s granddad, Denver, out one day and talked to him about giving his life to Jesus. I have heard stories of the shouting that took place at that little Gomez Baptist Church when Denver walked down that aisle. Mike’s dad was raised to follow God. Mike was raised to follow God. Our children were raised to follow God. And now my grandchildren are being taught to follow that same God. That is the legacy that really counts.
We have to tell our stories to our children. They need to hear our personal stories of what God has done in our lives. They can read the Bible, and they should. But in their minds, those are stories of long ago. What our children need today are the stories from the lives of their parents and grandparents. The stories of how God has worked for them. What has He done for you? Your kids need to know.
Take the time to tell your stories. Be sure they understand. Maybe, if we had done a better job of sharing our history in this country and recognizing that this history, good or bad is all a part of what built us, we would not be in the shape we are in today.
I know for a fact, our country would be different if we, as Christians, would do a better job of passing down that legacy of Christ followers. Of people who know who holds tomorrow. Of people who know in whom to place their trust.
I love the Cub legacy in my family, but more, so much more than that, I love the legacy of knowing that Mike and I both came from families who honored and trusted God.
Pass that legacy down. It will make the difference!
