Celebrating Black History Month: Creating A Legacy

February is Black History Month here in America. As always I am grateful for those who came before me and helped to pave the way for me and others. I have been enjoying some excellent Black History Month posts by Kim at Beyond My Limitations.

Check out one of Kim’s recent post here: Harriet Then Harriet Now

There are countless people of many colors and backgrounds who have contributed in some way to making life better for blacks. Many of those people never made the history books. However their impact can be seen and felt everyday. For me, some of those people include my grandparents.

I never really knew any of my grandparents or step grandparents because they either died before I was born, I was very young when they died, or I just never had the chance to get to know them for other complicated reasons. But I feel as if I know some of them from the testimonies of my parents, and other older family members who had the chance to talk with them and walk with them daily. I love this verse in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)…

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

My grandparents created a legacy of love that has been passed down through the generations. Although I don’t know much about my paternal grandparents, my Dad James, who died 20 years ago this coming May, was a hard worker, so I’m guessing he learned hard work from them. As I listen to the stories about my maternal grandparents, it’s amazing to hear the harmony of each story. It’s a confirmation of who they were, as well as what and “Who” they believed in.

My maternal grandparents, Jacob and Annie Devine, photo taken in South Carolina

I believe a great part of the success I have today is because of my grandparents prayers, and the example they set to my parents and their siblings. My mom told me my grandfather had to walk many miles to go to work, to vote and to attend church, but He remained faithful to God. He also taught them to pray. Annie was a homemaker who worked hard in the home caring for her family. Granddad Jacob lived 1894-1966. Grandma Annie lived 1901-1979. They had eight children, my mom is the youngest.

Psalm 100:5 ESV, “5 For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

As I celebrate black history month, I am proud to be who I am not only because of my background, but also because this is who God made me to be. As I was recently telling someone, it’s great to be proud of who you are and where you come from, but no matter who we are, or where we come from, we all need love and we all need the Savior. Love is what makes everything complete and brings it all together. Without love, we fail. Jesus is love, and I’m so very thankful for His love in my life.

1 John 4:10-11 ESV, “10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

I’ve been called many things such as Black, American, African American, mom, daughter, friend, sister, aunt, cousin, the list goes on. But my highest honor is that I’m a child of God, a daughter of the Most High. I’m thankful that everyday I have the opportunity to show God’s love through my words and actions, and I pray He empowers me to continue to do so.

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Genesis 1:27 NLT, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Some of my little cousins at my family reunion in Virginia, July 2019

Whoever you are or wherever you come from, please don’t forget that the greatest of these is love. Love never fails. God created us all equally and in His image. Skin color or country of origin does not make one person better than another person. Those of us who are still amongst the living, are in the process of creating a legacy that will impact those who come after us. Many of whom, have yet to be born. We must ask ourselves, “What will that legacy be?”

Everyday through Christ who lives in us, we have the amazing privilege to show love to others, so let’s make the most of it. I can’t say it enough, love never fails.

Author: Dawn

The love of Jesus will never fail you. Thank you for visiting my blog.

41 thoughts on “Celebrating Black History Month: Creating A Legacy”

  4. What a wonderful legacy of love found in your family! Sharing God’s word and love, and showing examples of compassion and love to everyone, is a legacy we all need to exhibit, and instill in our families.

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  7. What a great family legacy. It is good to honor the unsong heroes in our lives. I was blessed tremendously. It does not matter what men calls you, it is what God calls you. He calls you by your name as His child. Praise the Lord.

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  9. Beautiful post, Dawn. I love old photos. I may share some of my family history one day too. My family definitely has a legacy of love, too, though, my family veered of the path some, so I’m still praying for God to lead them into His arms. It’s not easy when you have family that are far from Him. But love never fails, so I’m trusting Him to make a way. He is the Way maker.

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    1. Thanks Tina! There are many in my family that are still in need of salvation too. I’m still praying as well. He is definitely a Way maker! I hope to hear more about your family history. 🤗

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  11. A great share big sis.❤ And it’s so graceful how legacies have been passed down to us. I pray we all be good and godly legacies for the generation to come as well.

    And yes, we are first and foremost a child of God. So graceful!. 😊💃💃💃

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  17. What a great legacy and family heritage, Dawn! I love the point you make about origins and skin color making no difference with God. Actually, I wonder if he would ask, “Skin color? What’s that?” He looks on our hearts. Externals are really irrelevant!

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