Outstanding Loans and Feudin'...

My family has a strange heritage. On my father's side, we have the story of an un-paid debt owed by the Continental Congress dating back to the late 1770's, where Jacob DeHaven reported loaned George Washington and the Continental Army a fairly substantial amount of money to fund the growing war debt against the British during our Revolutionary War. While the story has lots of facets to it, and there is some question as to its absolute validity, it is one of the stories that adds color and flavor to our family's heritage and history.

Another facet to my family's name is that my father's mother was a bonafide McCoy - from the Hatfield-McCoy fame. Her grandfather was one of the elders involved in the feud, which purportedly had to do with a stolen pig, and a set of nuptuals involving a "youngun'" from both families. Again, legend oftentimes tends to be more colorful than fact, but as someone once said,
"when legend is more powerful than fact, print the legend."

No doubt, you and your family have similar stories - tales that when told give one a sense of identity, and meaning. Perhaps your family's stories are more colorful, or are more patriotic, or more grace-filled than mine. Perhaps they aren't. Regardless, they are your stories, and they share with the world a little about how life has shaped and formed you, how these have touched you in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

I would also venture a guess that some of your stories involve those people who's lives have intersected with yours and critical junctures, and have influenced you in profound, spiritual ways. People with whom you have interacted, and in those interactions, you were changed, transformed, and because of that, you haven't been the same since. If you are reading this, chances are pretty good that you've had an interaction with someone who has taken the time to share the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with you, and has given you the opportunity to make a decision for Christ. (If you are reading this, and that has not yet happened, I pray that it will soon!)

The stories that we have are who we are. They make up our lives, and fill us with meaning and purpose. They share with the world that we are who we are. I pray that you will somehow allow those special stories that have shaped your faith to be the ones that will be your defining stories.

In the meantime, keep practicing the faith! See you in Church!

Grace and peace,
Brad