Family Traditions

There have been some many family traditions over the years that I probably can’t count. I remember special days and holidays and how we celebrated as a family. When I began a family of my own, we started some family traditions. We had special meals on certain days of the week. We celebrated birthdays together. The holidays started getting special with my children through our special traditions on Christmas. It also is a bit sad that since my grandparents have died, some family traditions passed with them. Traditions contribute to rich memories of my past for sure.

The Jews in captivity to Persia really “dodged a bullet” by this guy Haman. He had the king’s ear and was given great authority. Because Mordecai had frustrated him by not bowing down and showing him the respect he thought he deserved, he decided to wipe out all the Jews in Persia and it’s provinces. Once his plot was exposed, the tables were turned. Haman was punished by death. The king issued the decree that the Jews could defend themselves. The other people in the province also joined in helping the Jews defend themselves. They were successful in wiping out many of the participants in Haman’s plot. They decided that because of what they had been through, they should remember this for generations to come. Check this out…

20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor. (Esther 9:20-22 NIV)

Some of our most keen memories are connected to suffering, struggle and fear. I remember vividly the funeral of my grandparents, as well as some of the tragedies and struggles of our nation. Some of the personal struggles of my life, I certainly don’t want to celebrate, however the victory over these struggles is certainly worth celebrating each year. I remember vividly the day I married my sweet wife and my life felt whole again. I remember when my kid was declared cancer-free! I think tradition and celebration that comes from victories are fun to celebrate. I’ve also have traditions of hurt and hardship that are etched in my memories. I do like to visit the burial site of those who’ve gone before me to once again honor their lives. I don’t do this often, because it hurts my heart a bit – but it’s healthy.

I am learning to celebrate daily the Lord’s blessing upon my life. I want gratitude to be a daily tradition or custom component of my life. I love the tender moments when the Lord speaks to my heart from His Word. I want to keep a tradition of reading His Word and spending time with Him. I want to trust Him without worry because He is so faithful.

Pressing On!

Dwayne