“O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.” (Psalm 78:1-4 NLT)
In the early seventies I taught social science classes at the secondary level. Outside of teaching subjects like Sociology, Psychology, and Citizenship, I also taught over twelve-hundred classes of United States History during the course of five years. The latter was my least favorite course because it seemed like something was missing and appeared to be void of truth. There was no Black History course in the curriculum, and much was hidden about the achievements and accomplishment of people of color. There were no lessons in our textbook that even pointed to injustices, inequality, or the imbalance of economic privilege. And there was little in the text about how overcoming wrongs that were considered by some to be right. Progress has been made in terms of teaching a broader view of history in our classrooms, but that progress is not enough. Then there is the present-day struggle that has resurfaced to keep educators from revealing the truth about happenings in our history. There is still resistance and curriculum enhancements are being rejected. Books that shed a light are being barred from libraries.
Let me get personal, on my way to say something of greater value. First, I’m thankful for a first cousin, a reader of these meditations, who sets the example for tracing our family roots and extracting truths about what the generation before us went through. He put together an interview with one of our aunts on our father’s side and shared an epic and education video with family members. Also, I’m thankful for my elders who told me about their history and the history of their parent’s and their parent’s parents. You know what? I’m glad that they shared stories with me about history and historic figures. So, when my children ask questions related to different eras, I share what I know. If they ask if I have I ever been poor, I tell them the truth. “I have!” If they ask about closed doors, I tell them about my experiences, as well as the struggles of those our family tree were not exempt from in times past. If they ask if I had learned more about history from them, and was taught more about history through them, I tell them the truth, “Yes!”
Of greater value, when they look surprised or have that look that says, “Here he goes again with one of those ‘way back then’ stories,” I validate the truth and verify that it was the Lord that has seen us through. Take note! It’s more than an old song from the civil rights movement in history, it is a truth that they will experience in their life if they trust in the Lord. They too will sing with understanding, “The Lord will see me through. The Lord will see me through. Deep in my heart, I do believe, the Lord will see me through one day.” That is of significant importance in regard to history. Therefore, don’t pretend that you have always had it easy, or your prosperity is a perpetual continuation from your personal history. Share your testimony of how the Lord, how the Almighty intervened in your life and is still intervening in your life! That will help them in the days they are blessed to see. And God will be pleased with you too. Hope I was helpful today in reinforcing the importance of history, integrated with the work of the Almighty in the midst of the awry. Be blessed!
“Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old.” (Job 8:8-10 NLT)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King