The Family Photo

The greatest picture of a man is that of his family.

God often sends us messages and enlightenment via the not so coincidental contact with others in our lives. Most recently I have been given the gift of revelation through my casual correspondence with two area pastors. The first is of a local church in East Greenwich and the last is the senior pastor from a church in North Providence.

I was speaking of following the signs that God places on our Path and being patient. The first responded, “Amen patience is a virtue as my daughter would say.” I love when our children come back to us with what we have taught them. Especially when we did not realize we did. They are always learning from us whether we know it or not. As we act so to do they. Our character will in fact be emulated by them in their daily walk. The wisdom that we pass on to them will inadvertently be shared with those around them.

I have given so many examples of this in my books and messages. It never ceases to amaze me. The depth of our teaching by example is insurmountable. “Do what I say and not what I do” has nothing on “Be as I Am.” The true picture of any parent is the picture of their family.

Funny thing is that I received an email this morning from the senior pastor of the church in North Providence. I did not know of him and have never had the pleasure of visiting his church, but as I looked at his family picture I could really grasp the essence of his being. Although, the picture of a man in the context of what I am speaking of goes so much deeper than a photo; a picture truly is worth a thousand words. It is by sharing and experiencing Truth that the greatest joys in life are accomplished and in “The Family Photo” this is often the light that comes shinning through.

This led me to my own family photo and the family photo of the pastor from East Greenwich. I could truly see the essence of love coming through in the pictures. The combination of what I was seeing and what I knew of each others families lifted me high. The real joy, appreciation of each other and the laughter which is shared in our daily walks had cast away the darkness leaving only a room, a house and a Church full of light.

Laughter brings incredible light to the darkest rooms.

It is only through the energy of our experience can this light remain lit. It is passed on from generation to generation. It does not continue eternally without being ignited by God and carried on in Spirit; in us. As we live the Word the It carries on. This is the only true measure of our success.

Money cannot effectively measure success; rich to one is poor to another. Success can only be measured by the depth of our accomplishments, the impact of our actions and the certainty of our being.

All the concentration on the material or worldly things will only serve to weigh us down and hold us back from Promise. It will only serve to teach our children to worship the illusion and to serve false gods. Putting others down will teach our families to do the same. In concentrating on what is wrong we will fail to focus on all that is right. Loving those around us openly and honestly with continuous appreciation will bring the same back to us while showing others how this life is to be lived. Our journey is ignited in thanks giving. This is where our full appreciation of all that is given us can and will propel us towards all that we have been created to be. Gratitude is the key to the path to Promise. It turns on our GGS (God Guidance System) and maps out the quickest route to our Ultimate Destination.

Let loose the sandbags and the balloon will ascend higher.

As we let loose the sandbags of disappointment, disillusion and discontentment we become ready to rise to the highest heights. When we concentrate on all that our children do right and correct and forget what was done wrong we free ourselves from what binds us. As we appreciate our spouses for all that they do and let go of all that they don’t our relationship will grow stronger and it will in turn give us more of what we want from it. Every negative word we speak about our family will add incredible power to our thoughts of who they are to us. We are to encourage one another and to build each other up. It is in our ordination as leaders of our families that we are to fill their hearts with Truth and help to propel them at lightning speeds toward their Promise. As fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers we must take all the good of those around us and acknowledge it, speak it out and relish in all that It is because It is God’s gift to us and to them. Glorify in all that they are and in all that they are created to be.

In doing so, in a very short time we will feel joy in our hearts as we look at their smiles. The light of their spirits will shine brightly outwardly from their souls. In turn, all that we are will be projected through them and onto the body of Humanity.

In faith always,

Ron Ash