One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts (Psalm145:4 NIV).

When my mother was nearing the end of her life, she loved to talk about her childhood and to sing hymns with us. During our last visit, she told us that she remembered riding on a wagon with her father one day when she was a little girl, singing a hymn at the top of her lungs. But no matter how she tried, Mother could not remember what song they had sung.

Mother’s mind had been troubled by an apparent stroke and as the day wore on, her agitation heightened. In an attempt to distract her, I began to sing very slowly and deliberately, “’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.” Her rheumy dark eyes took on a far away look as she exclaimed in delight, “That was the song! That was the song I sang with my father!”

As Mother sang the familiar words with me, I knew that God had brought the generations full circle. He used me to bring to her memory the seeds of God’s trustworthiness planted by her father many years ago. Even as I grieved my mother’s condition, I rejoiced in the faithfulness of God to our family through all the generations.

Heavenly Father, may the evidences of your faithfulness through the generations help to take us through the storms. Amen.