Tell Us That Story Again

Do you have family stories that are a testament to the blessing of God on your family? Can you children say they know a time God specifically placed His hand on an ancestor? Those stories are precious and priceless.

My husband has a story that my sister and older niece would always ask him to tell. This story intrigued them and spoke of God’s love, providing, and explained why my sweet husband loved being outside and nature. It is about his 8th great grandfather. Quite a long time ago this event happened, but the family still remembers it.

It was in 1700’s Appalachian Mountains on the North Carolina side. My husband’s ninth great grandparents had a farm homestead. They raised crops as well as a few animals. Unfortunately they did not have any living children. Everyone in the area liked the couple including the Cherokee Indians that were in the area and occasionally came to their home for food. In autumn on year everyone was trying to get as much food as possible put up for the winter. It was forecasted to be extremely cold and snowy. The summer had been brutally hot. Crops and animals were scarce. The couple shared what they could from the little they had. The Cherokee would be moving to their winter home in hopes of less harsh weather.

The husband was in his field gleaning whatever last remnants he could find and plowing it for the year. He heard the clanging of the big dinner bell announcing lunch so he quickly made his way back to their barn and cabin. He unhitched the horse, and hung the collar and empty feed bag up. He washed off at the pump, went inside and ate lunch with his wife. They always thanked God before each meal even if it was a meager one. When he went back outside to hitch up his horse, he found a big surprise. Inside the horse’s feed sack was a papoose, a little baby boy. Before the Indians migrated to their winter camp, they left the small, weak baby with the Christian couple that often helped them. The baby would probably not make it through the harsh winter without extra food, warmth and care. The Indians knew how much the couple wanted a child and left him for them. Waiting in the woods, watching was the mother. She wanted to make sure her child was found. Like Moses in the basket, the papoose was.

The man shouted for his wife to come. The laughed and cried happy tears, knowing exactly what had happened. As the new mama cradled her son, the new father looked around and saw the Indian mother. He signed “thank you” and she left. They never again saw the Indians. The baby was named Osceola. After receiving this great gift from God, the couple was blessed with four more living children of their own.

My husband’s ancestors helped what most in the area called enemies. They continued to pray and give thanks throughout a bad harvest and bad summer. They continued to share and give to others like the Cherokee even though they hardly had anything. Never did they turn from God when their pregnancies ended in miscarriage. This was a faithful Christian couple and Abba remembered that. Our reward might not come immediately or soon, but stay the course. The reward will come. If not on this side of Heaven then the other. Keep telling of His love, protection, and blessings for your family. Let your children know about their Christian heritage.

“Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation.” Joel 1:3 NLT

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 NIV