Yesterday, because of some recent developments, I was thinking about my family’s history – my lineage. As I thought about it, there was this shame that came upon me because of the decisions made by people before me and even choices I have made. I found myself saying, “Man, my family is pretty screwed up.” Immediately the Holy Spirit said, “So was Jesus’ family.”

Jesus’ earthly lineage is filled with
A Father who abandoned his son (Abraham)
A deceptive brother (Jacob)
An unholy sexual alliance (Judah & Tamar)
A harlot (Rahab)
An immigrant (Ruth)
A sexual predator and murderer (David)
An idol worshiper (Manassseh)

God chose this lineage, comprised of flawed men and women with scandalous acts, to be the earthly bloodline for His son. And He chose my family, filled with flawed people and scandalous acts to be my heritage.

Jesus, of course, was not ashamed of His family’s history. Why should I be? Maybe it was His family’s history that motivated him as He ministered.

Maybe he thought about Grandma Rahab when the sinful woman anointed him.
Maybe Grandpa David came to mind when he offered no condemnation to the woman caught in adultery.
Maybe Grandma Ruth was in His thoughts when he healed the Gentile’s woman’s daughter.
As He welcomed the tax collectors, Matthew and Zaccheus, perhaps He remembered Grandpa Jacob.

Sometimes, I envy people whose lineage consists of spiritual powerhouses, generations of Godly people who prayed for them. Sometimes, I want to sweep my family’s past under the rug and pretend all is well.

But the Holy Spirit is calling me to embrace my family’s history. He is reminding me while I am who I am because of the choices of my parents, I do not have to repeat the choices of my parents. Those generational habits end right here, right now. Because (not in spite of) my parents were flawed, I have compassion for the outcasts, for the fatherless, for those who feel as if they don’t belong.

Let me just remind you my friends, you are not destined to become your parents. Jesus redeemed you and gave you a new bloodline. He delivered you from any generational curses. Let your dysfunctional lineage testify to God’s goodness, His redemptive Power, His ability to give you beauty for ashes. When people know your family’s history, but see your beautiful present, it will give them hope and inspiration that what God did for you, He will do for them.

I am embracing my Family’s history, warts and all. It is a part of my beautiful story that is unfolding.

“And they were all singing this new song of praise to the Lamb: “Because you were slaughtered for us, you are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals. Your blood was the price paid to redeem us. You purchased us to bring us to God out of every tribe, language, people group, and nation.” Revelation‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭TPT‬‬