Joshua 24:15 shares the ultimate declaration of breaking the cycle of generational unbelief: “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Dad experienced this in his life, I see it in my life and I suspect you can see it in your life as well. So - would you consider writing your story of breaking cycles of unbelief or continuing cycles of belief?

Here are a few key ideas to help you get started…

In Dad’s journal, I found many references to dreams for me, for Mom and for other family and friends that his life touched. But I found not one reference to future generations beyond me. This doesn’t mean he didn’t have hopes and dreams for future generations, but I suspect that he had such “real time” challenges that looking toward the future probably didn’t come natural to him.

But God works “abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.”

Friday, September 23, 1988 will forever be a day of victory. It was on this day that Dad started running.

This week’s installment is from Gina Smith’s perspective.

The first time our parents met was memorable to say the least. It was at our engagement party and my dad walked introduced himself by saying “Well, we are going to be in-laws or out-laws.” Pop roared in laughter, and a bond between our families was forever set.

A few months later we experienced our first “left turn” in marriage: Pop went to be with Jesus. I watched my newlywed husband suffer with grief and sadness and had no idea how to meet him in that place. Things changed. And my faith was rattled.

“Am I right about what you have said, that if I come four years to Memphis State and finish all the required subjects to teach secondary education, it is very doubtful I will be allowed to teach because I have hemophilia?”

His professor’s answer was devastating. “That is correct.”

A lingering question remained for Dad. “What is God’s purpose for my life?”

Through a cancer diagnosis, the AIDS scare of the 80s, innumerable unemployment trials, and the stress all this brings onto a marriage, Dad’s faith was continually challenged.

Every day, every week and every year was filled with faith opportunities to trust God more deeply. And just like you and me, sometimes he showed no faith, sometimes little faith and sometimes great faith.

Bobby & Carolyn, Bob & Jean, Bill & Pat, Bob & Martha, Bill & Faye, Don & Betty.

These are the names of some precious friends who showed amazing trust in God by helping Mom and Dad when life's obstacles were overwhelming. Just like the friends of the sick man in Mark 2, these Christ followers, in their own way, “climbed up on the roof” to carry Dad to Jesus.

In spite of how Dad’s parents treated him, he desperately loved them both and longed for a relationship with them. He prayed for them and hoped so much they would turn from unbelief to a life of faith. And guess what?

God heard his prayers.

More intense faith-testing began for Dad and Mom in March 1964 when he had a bleed in his kidneys that threatened his life and put him in the hospital for a lengthy stay. “I’m like a car with a leaky gas tank. The only way to keep it running is to put gas in as fast as it runs out.” The next two years cycled from health crisis to job loss to another health crisis to another job loss. Each time, Dad would confound the doctors by surviving. As his body continued to deteriorate, his faith continued to strengthen. And something became clear: life was in the blood.

Imagine never having a birthday cake as a child. Dad had his first birthday cake at age 20, and it was my mom’s family who made it happen!

Dad wrote this about marrying mom, “Life began for me with the phrase, ‘with this ring, I thee wed.’”

My mom’s family began to give my dad something he had not fully experienced: family. This was a direct contrast to his family, who even threatened to kidnap him to keep the wedding from happening.

Dad’s faith endured many hard days, and now, he began to reap the rewards of a steadfast faith.

Teenage years are challenging for most, and when there is a lack of spiritual influence at home, things worsen, especially for a new believer in Christ. For my dad, though, faith had taken root and he was intent on living out the new life of Christ.

One night, at the home of his mother and step-father, he discovered just how difficult this new life of faith would be. The “ketchup bottle incident,” as it would soon be called, occurred and his life changed forever.

“I used any method to get attention,” “I was completely self-oriented,” “I would fight anyone, old or young,” and “I would do anything to violate the rules.” As I read these words from Dad’s journal, I could sense how his life was spiraling out of control.

But God was about to use more daring people to introduce my dad to a new life - a life filled with joy, freedom and a beautiful faith. The cycle of generational unbelief was about to be shattered and changed forever.

The dynamics of Dad’s family might be better described as “family dynamite.” Early in Dad’s life things exploded at home. Dad was two years old at the time, and nowhere was God to be found in his home life. It was a home full of unbelief.

But, once again, I thank God for His mercy. God intervened on Dad’s behalf. And He can for you, too!

“But Jesus said, let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such a these.” Matthew 19:14

“God used some very daring people to save me.” When I ran across this statement in one of my dad’s journals, I stopped reading for a while in order to recover. This statement is incredibly sobering, and catapulted me to a state of gratitude.