“This is what the ancients were commended for” (Heb. 11:2). A list of well-known individuals who lived exemplary lives in God’s eyes follows. They were abundantly blessed for their actions, and each person was a blessing to others, as well. For an example, “By faith” Adam and Eve’s second child, Able, made an acceptable and pleasing offering to God. Declared righteous was Able. “By faith” Enoch lived in such a way that was so pleasing that God just ‘took’ him. Therefore, Enoch did not experience death as we know it. “By faith” Noah respectively built the ark exactly to God’s plans to save his family and also condemn the wicked.
The list goes on, but you’ll notice that the “greatest” of all our grandparents, the first-of-all, Adam, and Eve, are not on that list of “Heaven’s Hall of Fame.” Of course, one of their ‘firsts’ was to really mess up; and we inherited the resulting consequences of that. However, thousands of years later an inspired writer reminds us that “by faith [Able] still speaks even though he’s dead”. In other words, he still has something to teach us (albeit posthumously) about God and what pleases Him. And we need to listen. Credit to where credit is due. Adam named his wife Eve, because Eve was to be the mother of all the living (Gen. 3:20).
Many of whatever good qualities might be found in me, my two brothers, and our cousins (on Mom’s side) will just have to be credited to the motherly influence of our grandmothers: Buelah Bethina (Yandell) Henry and Carrie E. Henry…God bless the sweet memories.
“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” (2 Tim. 1:5, NLT)
-John Driggers (1/8/2024, V6 #2)
