Over the last couple of weeks, I have rediscovered a show from years ago. I have been enjoying “Who Do You Think You Are?” on YouTube (both the British and American versions!). This is similar to the PBS show, “Finding Your Roots,” and follows celebrities on genealogical journeys around the world.

Watching the show made me go check out my own family tree. I have a large paper copy showing many generations of my family. However, I don’t know everyone’s occupations or exact circumstances. Maybe I will do a little more digging someday!

Some of the family stories on the show are heartwarming, and some are shocking or sad. We are taken along through a range of emotions, and I appreciate seeing famous actors and singers in a new light. On the one hand, they just hop on a plane on a whim to travel to another continent to track down their ancestors. Yet, their humility makes them feel more down-to-Earth.

While you and I probably don’t have the same access or resources to travel several generations back, we can still learn from others. As the celebrities go back in time, they see how their family members lived, loved, and died during eras such as the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, Prohibition, World War II, and the Holocaust. Many were immigrants, and some were refugees. Some of their families came from kings, business owners, and upstanding community members, and some descended from pirates, thieves, and murderers!

Old family legends or fears are discovered or clarified. The celebrities have to work through their emotions of being mad, embarrassed, proud, or giving the benefit of the doubt. Several of them have gained a better understanding of generational trauma and seen it in a new light. I am glad for forgiveness and closure.

Of course, family is so important. Your personal connections can set you up for success or set you back in life. On these shows, it is easy to see how one life can positively or negatively impact successive generations. We can live with faith, courage, and determination. Or, we can live selfishly with bitterness and resentment, hurting others. Our choices are not in isolation.

Indeed, family can be quite complicated at times. We collectively have many opportunities but also face many hurts, trials, and misfortunes. And, we won’t always agree with each other! Still, we can put down strong roots, and even one decision can change our family tree, to some degree. It has been said before, “You may not have had a good start, but you can have a good finish.”

Regardless of familial twists and turns, here’s the Good News: Even if you don’t have much family support, God has invited you to join His family! He is a-thousand-generations-faithful!! His Son Jesus paved the way for us… Have you accepted His offer?

Beyond that, if your ancestors knew Jesus personally as Lord and Savior, you will certainly see them again! Can you imagine getting to meet all these people in Heaven?! We will have eternity to catch up and tell stories of perseverance and grace. At the same time, my heart breaks for those in my close circle who don’t want to hear about Jesus!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your faithfulness and preservation! You extend grace and mercy to us, even when we don’t deserve it. Increase our passion to share Your love with our family and others so we may see them in Heaven one day! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you done a deep dive into your genealogy? Do you have a comprehensive family tree put together? If so, do you see connections between you and your ancestors?

Task: This song seems especially pertinent today, based on the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6! Also, if you are curious, just search YouTube for “Who Do You Think You Are?” to watch many full episodes of the show