Being Aware of your Family History is Important Because...

Being aware of your family history is important for a lot of reasons, but I've learned along the way that it is less important than people will have you think.  I don't know as much about my history as some do.  It is a blessing that most of my friends have and don't even realize.  Lot's of times people just think it is "normal".  For a long time I yearned for this sort of "normal".  Then I realized that this quest only kept me in bondage and away from my savior, it hurt those around me, especially my family, and the zealousness of my own quest kept me from my own true blessings.

From the time I was born to the age of about 16 I thought that my family was crazy in it's own right, but that I at least had a sort of "normal" (mom, dad, brother).  It came to light in a rather traumatizing fashion that the father I had grown up with is not my biological father.  At the tender age of 16 that knowledge sent me into a tailspin.  My whole life had been a lie.  I had a ton of decisions to make.  Looking back, I didn't really get them right, but I have since learned.  I started hounding my mom for answers, disassociating myself from my dad, searching for a birth father, and trying to find answers.

I realize now, that what I really needed to learn about was my own heart.  You see, it is important to know your family history.  Learning about them and the choices they have made have helped me to have grace and kindness in my interactions with them.   For example, knowing how my grandparents felt having a pregnant teenager, how my mom felt as a scared teenager, and how my dad felt wanting his parentage to be true all play into my story.  Seeing them all in this way has opened me up to a much deeper relationship.  I would encourage you all to learn about your parents and their parents, and on down the line.  Once I let go of the hurt and anger, I was also able to experience a much deeper relationship with my family members.  I was also able to give myself to God.  He knows my name and He knows my heart.  Early on it was hard to give myself to Him, feeling like I didn't know who I was.  Eventually the things of this world became less important.

As it stands I am 29, I have a wonderful relationship and friendship with my mother.  I am able to be a part of my dad's life with his new wife and children.  I am loved by God and dedicate my life to His service.  What more do I need know?