Afterwords -- week 46
"But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations...
Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD..."
(Psalm 102:12, 18)
November 5, 2022
Dear friends,
Happy Fountain Pen Day to you! I know, I know, you wanted to send me a card, but couldn't find the right pen to use...
So, I got into collecting and restoring fountain pens when I received from my cousin three pens from the desk of our grandfather, who passed away back in the 1950s. I did not really know him, but I felt the family connection when I restored his pens and started writing with them. It's a connection to another generation. The photo above is of a G.I. writing letters during World War II, using a Sheaffer pen, of which I have several in my collection. Writing with a fountain pen brings a connection with history, and it's a pleasure to use, since it writes way better than most modern pens. I know, it's a cult.
SPEAKING OF GENERATIONS, I have noticed during my leisurely read through Psalms this year that the word "generation(s)" appears a lot, some 38 times, in fact. God's work spans the generations (Psalm 33:11; 102:12, 24; 119:90; 146:10). But also, each generation has a responsibility to pass on truth to the succeeding generations (Psalm 22:30-31; 71:18; 78:4, 6; 102:18). I wrote a bit about this back in Afterwords -- week 36.
GOOGLE SAYS there seven generations alive today, and each has some unique perspectives and characteristics. Here the divisions and approximate dates (according to Google, mind you)...
The Greatest Generation (born 1901–1927)
The Silent Generation (born 1928–1945)
Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964)
Generation X (born 1965–1980)
Millennials (born 1981–1995)
Generation Z (born 1996–2010)
Generation Alpha (born 2011–2025)
THE LESSON I'm taking from this is, generations come and go, like water under a bridge. Our God is not focussed on my generation only, or yours, or your children's, but also to "a people yet to be created". We are here for a little while and our job is to glorify God to the next generation, that they might learn to trust and walk with him. When I was younger -- that is, a young Boomer idiot -- I was very critical of the previous generation. And as I get older I find it is easy to be too critical of the coming generation and their weaknesses. I need to remember that God is a God of generations, doing a pan-generational work (if there is such a term). We ourselves will be here for only a while, but the Lord's faithfulness will extend to all generations of those who call upon him. Our job is to equip them, point them to God, and give them what they need that they may glorify God in their generation and to those who will come after them.
IN OTHER NEWS.
-- Researchers are using geomagnetic data to confirm the dating of biblical battles. Read more about the fascinating field of paleomagnetic dating here and here.
FINAL QUOTE. "If we walk before the Lord in integrity, we shall do more to bless our descendants than if we bequeathed them large estates." (C. H. Spurgeon)
That's it for week 46!
Sandy
Image credit: photo above, attribution unknown; my photo below of autumn leaves and a Platinum 3776 Century fountain pen. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
