Heritage
From the beginning, God has given people the opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves. God gave Eve to Adam, and they began the first family. God formed a nation from the descendants of Abraham. He knit Christians together as members of the body of Christ.
Our town of Gainesboro, Tennessee, was founded in 1820, so this is our 200th birthday. I am excited to be a part of the bicentennial committee. My job is to help our county’s homeschool and public school students learn about the history of their county and their county seat of Gainesboro.
Back in October, Notgrass History began to work alongside the bicentennial committee, the local historical society, and the Chamber of Commerce to produce videos to share with school teachers, local residents, and with fans of Notgrass History. While every town’s history is unique, we all also have many things in common. It is my desire that these videos will teach young people and families across the nation and across the world what it was like to grow up in a small American town in the 20th century.
We published our first video yesterday. It is a sort of “movie trailer” to whet your appetite. I’m excited about the opportunity to introduce you to local people whom I love. Our participants today are, in order of appearance: Johnnie Faye Pruett, John Richard Fox, Cindy Vedros, and Katherine Anderson. I have written about Miss Johnnie Faye, Mr. John Richard, and Miss Katherine before in Daily Encouragement. Cindy is a kind and gentle Christian woman whom I have met through the local historical society.
Some of the most wonderful homeschooling experiences our family had were our Wednesday afternoon sessions years ago, listening to the stories of an elderly man in our church. I encourage you to think about who might like to tell their stories to your children.
It is my prayer that our local children and teens will learn to relish everything good about their local heritage. I pray they will aspire to be pillars in their communities like these folks are.
Two are better than one
because they have a good return for their labor.
For if either of them falls,
the one will lift up his companion.
But woe to the one who falls
when there is not another to lift him up.
Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm,
but how can one be warm alone?
And if one can overpower him who is alone,
two can resist him.
A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12