Psalm 71:18 “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”
I love the Pass It On billboards along the road. Like the picture of Jackie Robinson with the words “Here’s to you Mr. Robinson” that encourages people to pass on Character. Or the photo of Mr. Rodgers and the words “Won’t you be my neighbor?” admonishing us to pass on Friendship. And one of my favorites shows Kermit the Frog with the words “Eats flies. Dates a pig. Hollywood star.” Live Your Dreams.
I think we sometimes get trapped into thinking we have nothing of value to pass on to those in the next generation. We don’t live on a big estate filled with priceless heirlooms. We haven’t won acclaim for writing a best-seller or had buildings named after us. But the intangible things in life prove to be far more valuable than the tangible.
I recently read the children’s book, Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed. It’s about an ordinary girl who picked blueberries and gave them to an elderly neighbor. The neighbor, in turn, made ordinary blueberry muffins and gave them to five people, setting off a chain reaction that eventually impacted the whole world. The book’s message rang clear: kindness can be a pretty powerful entity to pass on.
The other day my husband planted forty Fraser fir trees on our property. Since he’s seventy-two years old, he most likely will never see them fully mature. But he labored in planting those seedlings because he wanted to pass on something of beauty to a future generation.
Most scholars attribute Psalm 71 to King David, written in his old age. In that psalm he asks God to give him strength to pass on the most precious asset he had experienced in life. He wanted to declare the power and might of God to the next generation.
I don’t know how God wants you to affect your sphere, but I know he does. He has gifted you with more than you realize. Maybe it’s compassion or courage or confidence. One thing for certain, if you know Jesus, he wants you to let others in on his goodness and grace.
So whatever it is, my friend, pass it on! Even when you’re old and gray!