Manuel Mansilla - 07/18/1897
The gentleman pictured above is Manuel Mansilla. Señor Mansilla is my maternal great-great grandfather from Ensenada, Mexico.
The picture was sent to his daughter, Natalia, my maternal great-grandmother, when she was approximately 22 years old. On the back of this photo, he wrote a note to her in Spanish. The English translation of it is:
Beloved daughter Natalia,
I give thanks to God that at the age of seventy-one, I can send you my portrait, so that you remember my desire for your happiness.
M. Mansilla
July 18, 1897
It’s a simple note, but when I first read it I couldn’t help but realize that my great-great grandfather was a man of faith. When I reflect on each of my direct ancestors, I’m blessed to know that in spite of their failings and short-comings, they were all people who believed in Almighty God.
I know that not everybody can do that. I know that there are some family trees that are less than something you can be proud of. Of course, I’m not sure about my family tree beyond Manuel Mansilla. Who knows what I’ll eventually find out. But what’s important is that each of us plays a role in passing down our faith in the goodness of God.
I made a remark in my last post about “Online Ministry” quoting from Malachi. God hates divorce because God seeks godly offspring from each of us.
“But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts. “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.” –Malachi 2:14-15.
God wants each of us parents to pass on our faith, trust, and love of God to our children. Our faith in God can become a blessing to multiple generations, just as unbelief can. How I wish we could stop and think about how our decisions affect more than just us alone.
I give thanks to God for Manuel Mansilla. I praise God for giving him at least 71 years to bless the many generations that have come from him.
What sort of legacy are you leaving for your children and grandchildren?
Have you stopped to consider how your relationship with God can affect the generations that will follow you?
How will you be a blessing to the generations to come?
May He Increase!
I have a lot to be ashamed……I pray that I will finish well.
Ike, my brother, He who began a good work in you with be faithful to complete it.
Our sins are cast into the deep, never to be seen again!
Joe, my wife and i come from families where God was not the center. On my dark days I often wonder what life would be like if we had been raised to serve The Lord. Then i realize God uses me as I am, from where i’ve come to do His will.
Will, certainly I realize that there are many families that didn’t have God at their center. My wife’s family in the past had that and there have been lasting repercussions as a result.
I guess what I wanted to drive home was the point that if you are not presently putting God at the center of your life, do it now. The impact can be felt for the generations after you in a huge way.