“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered…” 1 Chronicles 16:11-12
Over our lifetimes we remember many things—the good things and the bad things, the funny things and the somber things, the amazing things and the trivial things. We believe that the next generation should hear these things in order to learn from us, but we do not know how to get the next generation to listen. I think I will put a few of my memories that tell of “the wondrous works” that God did for me and my family in the past and pray that my children listen.
One wondrous thing God did for our family was when our third baby was born. We were in Bumbuli, Tanzania. There was a mud brick hospital there where Bob worked. When it was time for the baby (Tova) to be born, Bob picked me up in his arms and carried me to the hospital emergency room. Several missionary nurses were alerted that they should come help with the delivery, but Bob wanted to deliver the baby himself. He did. Then one of the nurses came to my side and said, “Oh, I’m so sorry—it’s a girl.”
The problem she foresaw was that I already had two girls! You can be sure that I set her straight! I love girls and Tova was not only a satisfactory baby, but she has been a remarkable female to this day.
One incident with Tova makes me smile. Still in Tanzania, when Tova was three years old, someone accidentally slammed the door on two of Tova’s fingers nearly cutting them off. We took Tova to the hospital in Machame (the closest mission hospital). On the way there with Tova sitting in my lap with her hand resting on a pillow she said, “It’s good it’s only two!”
That’s Tova—always looking on the bright side. To this day, she has always been a happy practical daughter. She now lives with her husband in Miami where she founded and operates a non-profit called “Wellspring Counseling.” It is a wonderful ministry that has helped many people. She has also helped Rafiki when we have had problems with some of our orphans in Africa. I am so proud of her and grateful to God that he gave me such a satisfactory and loving daughter.
P.S. Do you remember the good things that God did for your children so that you (and they) can tell them to the next generation? Are you documenting those things so that you do not forget?
Thank you, Rosemary! I love that story and will look forward to more!
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