Family Resemblance
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. KJV
When I was a child of three, my parents packed up and moved from Tennessee to Michigan. I recall little vignettes from that trip. Particularly vivid are the memories of having to wait for long periods as military convoys crisscrossed our route. World War II was in full swing, and the military presence was everywhere. Though unanticipated by my young self, I was on the threshold of altering more than my geography. I was about to begin the long process of becoming a Yankee!
If my father still lived, he would now be 118 years old. He was not the stereotypical southern migrant of that era. He had degrees in education and law. My grandfather, who died before I was born had been, among other things, a circuit-riding Methodist preacher and pastor and the son of a Civil War soldier.
When I was a child, having been born in Oak Grove, Tennessee, I was wont to devour Civil War history books. In truth, I was hoping to find one that declared a different ending to that conflict. Imagine the inner struggles unleashed when I eventually discovered that those ancestors of whom I was so proud of were actually veterans of the Union Army. They had come from Pennsylvania to put down the rebellion. A few years ago, Jacquelynne found an old letter among the few family artifacts that I still possess. It was written by a daughter of one of the old veterans saying that even after three decades she was still surrounded by Tennessee folk that were slow to forgive.
I have pictures of my parents and a few other ancestors. For good or ill, I find that the family resemblance is strong. One obvious and painful difference is that the men all have really nice, thick heads of hair.
I am proud of my forebearers. I am not blind to their frailties, however, and that makes me anticipate the better things that lie ahead. How blessed is our relationship with and in Christ! He has made us to be both children and heirs. Someday all that He has will be ours. He will make us fit to own and inhabit it. Our prospects are bright, and they are eternal. I note here something else that will be new to all of us: there will be no “grands”, “great-grands” or “steps” – just children.
Lastly, the crowning glory: We shall be like Him!
George Moore
Elder Emeritus
