Rebecca grew up in a home filled with homosexuality, mental illness, violence, and anger. As a child, Rebecca lived in fear because her father was often angry and violent. She never knew what to expect from him and was always walking on eggshells around him. However, Rebecca had an even greater fear of the future–a future that repeated the cycle of violence and mental illness she saw in her father. Often, Rebecca was told, “Oh, you’re just like your father!” Those words became Rebecca’s worst nightmare.
Many years later, as an adult, Rebecca experienced a life-changing moment. One day, while her father was dying of aids, Rebecca and her mom went to visit him and his gay partner. As Rebecca and her father’s partner were standing in the kitchen, Rebecca overheard her mom and dad fighting in the living room. They were arguing over how many pills they had to take and were comparing the number of times they tried to commit suicide. This fight was very reminiscent of the fear Rebecca felt as a child. Her father’s partner looked at her and said, “Wow, I guess that’s your legacy.” In that moment, God spoke to Rebecca as clear as day. She felt like she was punched in the gut and heard him say, “No, it’s not. You have my legacy because you are my child.” In that moment, Rebecca was so grateful that God spoke this truth to her. She knew that the dysfunction of her family didn’t have to be her legacy. Rebecca was a child of the one true king.
Now, whenever Rebecca starts having doubts about her legacy, she remembers the truth God spoke to her that day in her father’s kitchen. Rebecca now lives a life full of hope: hope of a future rooted in Christ for her and her family. Now, she is thankful for the legacy she is leaving behind for her kids: a legacy firmly planted in Christ’s love and truth.
