Thankful Thursday ~ Godly Legacy

It's Thankful Thursday and Lynn of Spiritually Unequal Marriage is our host for this month.

I joined a Facebook group called Salem Gospel Tabernacle.  This is a church in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, New York and it's where both of my parents grew up, met and eventually married in 1950.

Joyce Lighari who blogs at Sounds of Hope, is a new friend I met after she read a post I wrote about my grandfather.  She also grew up in the Norwegian section of Brooklyn and went to Salem.  She is the coordinator of the Facebook group and has been encouraging everyone to add their photos from years ago.

I'm so thankful for the Godly legacy I have as I see my relatives in many of the photos.  My Grandpa Sumstad (my dad's father) is in the top row, 2nd from the left.  My mom's mother and father are standing next to him.  And in the first row of ladies seated 6th from the left is my Nana.

My parents and grandparents moved out of the city to Long Island in 1950.  I knew that my grandfather had conducted home Bible studies but hadn't realized that was the start of the Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle.  I found this posted on the Facebook group and as I read it, I had tears in my eyes.

I have such wonderful memories of my Grandpa Sumstad.  Every time I spent the night at his house, I would find him sitting in his chair with his Bible.  He would be there first thing in the morning and again at night before getting ready for bed.  I can tell  you that sticks in the memory banks of a child.

This is the hall they rented when they moved the Bible studies from his house.  I remember this place but eventually they built a church in Smithtown which became the Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle.

What a privilege to have had godly people in my life.  But just because my grandparents were very faithful and walked with the Lord, I wasn't grandfathered into God's plan of salvation.  I had to come to a place of my own when I finally surrendered to Him for myself.

I prayed and asked Jesus into my heart at the age of seven.  However, I was a bit of a prodigal for many years.  It wasn't until my grandmother's funeral that I was so convicted and returned to church.  I was so hungry to read the Bible and grow in my relationship with the Lord.  He transformed me and I still continue to grow.

How thankful I am for the people in my life who prayed for me ...even when they didn't see much transformation happening. 

God didn't give up on me and neither did my grandparents.  They prayed for me and their prayers were answered.

I continue to study Ann Spangler's "Praying the Names of God" and the focus for this week is on God as Yahweh Nissi or my banner.  Ann writes about trusting God with your loved ones' lives. 

Even if you've prayed for your children or spouse and they aren't living as you  hoped they would, remember to pray to God as Yahweh Nissi.  Trust Him with your loved ones and you will not be disappointed.  You may not see fruit yet but ...don't give up praying for them.

How thankful I am for the people who continued to pray for me. 

Blessings and love,