Generational Leadership
My grandfather (aka Pappy) was from the “greatest generation”. He fought in World War II and he raised 8 kids! He was a hard-working man. He loved his wife and children. I still have such fond memories of seeing him interact and engage with people. His word was his bond. A handshake was like the signing of a contract. He was steady. He was strong. His wife, Mammie was a sweetheart of a grandmother. My eyes still leak a bit when I think of how loving and kind she was. Her heart was always big enough to welcome one more into the family. I find myself often inspired by them and their generation. They had a steely resolve about their faith in God and it showed.
I have often wondered how my generation will be perceived. We tend to name the various generations. I think one of us at a time should decide how we will live and lead others. When I became a dad, I believe I became a “generational leader”. I am the Dad of five amazing kids – four boys and one daughter. I am thankful for them. In fact, I thank the Lord each day for His gift of them to me. I pray that the grow up knowing the Lord and serving Him. I want them to be faithful to Him no matter what comes their way or whatever hardships they face. I believe that one of the reasons my faith runs deep, is because my Mammie prayed for me. She prayed for her family. I want to do the same for my family.
After Joshua’s death some things changed in the people of Israel. I believe Joshua followed the Lord fully and demonstrated by his life what following the Lord fully looked like. It’s sad to see the generation that followed had lost their way. Check this out….
10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.
How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands. (Judges 2:10,17b NLT)
I’m climbing the age ladder rather quickly it seems. The days are sometimes slower, but the years are short. I’ve heard that we grossly overestimate what we can do in a day, but then wildly underestimate what we can do in a year. I have decided that my years are made of daily decisions and actions. I decided years ago that I wanted to follow the Lord fully and seek Him all of my days. I decided to get up early before my family woke up to get my head on straight before the Lord, then hopefully, I could be a good leader for my family.
I have decided to follow Jesus no matter what. I have decided to follow Jesus and pray for my children, their children and their children’s children. I want the Dwayne Hicks family to become known for following the Lord throughout the generations. I want them to follow Him first and if He wills, lead other families to follow Him. I believe there is great peace in following Jesus for years. I believe His Word is true. I believe prayer is powerful. I am who I am today because of the generational leadership of my family before me.
Pressing On!
Dwayne