Thank You, Lord, for Family

I love the Bible. I love reading it. Almost always it speaks to me, if I allow it. But I confess, there are times it is better than Sominex or some other form of sleep-aid.

Travel to the book of First Chronicles and you will experience many examples. Read about the descendants of Abraham, Judah, David, Simeon, Ruben, Gad, Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Ephraim, etc.

After you finish, I guarantee you wonderful sleep, or at least a world-record yawn. The history of another family is not all that interesting. If it is your history, there is less likelihood that you will fall asleep sooner rather than later.

Recently I did additional research on my dad’s side of the family. Previously, I had researched to the Carolinas and 1790. This time I made it all the way back to the year 1600 and London, England.

Later, we moved from England to Virginia and from Virginia to North Carolina.

In the early 1800s, we settled in Hancock County, Georgia, along with the Hortons. Eventually, our family moved westward to Jasper County and we’ve been here ever since.

Imagine the things that have been created, besides people, since 1600. In 414 years, a lot has happened and has been experienced by the Allens.

I know I will never know much about each of my ancestors, and who knows, I may even be better off this way. However, at least I know, with some certainty, that we came from London. Maybe one day I will learn more. If my dad was living, he would get a kick out of my findings. He always joked that we were from the debtor prisons of England. Who knows? Nonetheless, it would be nice to know the people of the past who have made me who I am today.

Were they good, bad, honest, dishonest, happy, sad, lost, or saved? All of this would be nice to know, but in the end what is most important is whether or not each Allen had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope they did. Then, maybe one day I will be able to meet them and spend time with them for eternity.

Maybe we did come from debtor’s prisons. Only God knows. I do know that Mr. Allen around 1600 married a lady whose last name was Spencer. While it is remote, it is somewhat exciting to imagine that I could be distantly related to Princess Diana. To be related to someone who loved children and did so much for children around the world is quite humbling.

Thank you Lord for family, but most importantly, for our connection to you, now and for eternity.