My granddaughters have been learning about their heritage in school. One day my youngest granddaughter took home a paper doll, and her homework was to dress it in clothing that depicted her heritage. Two older granddaughters had to prepare a family tree with pictures of their ancestors.
Your heritage is your history—a mix of genes, choices, culture, and environmental factors that shaped you, even if you didn’t have a say in them. Learning about where we come from connects us to the past and helps us prepare for the future. The traditions, culture, values, and faith we inherit influence how we raise our kids, for better or worse.
Your heritage doesn’t define who you are; it just tells you where you started. If your ancestors did great things, you can aim to follow their lead. And if they had a shady past, you have a blueprint for what to avoid.
We often talk about making memories, but we’re also creating history. Our lives today will become part of the heritage of our grandchildren and their kids. Everything from when and where we were born, where we grew up, the schools we attended, the traditions we followed, and the significant changes we faced make up our heritage.
Most important is our heritage of faith. Listen to what the psalmist wrote:
We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. (Psalm 44:1 NIV)
If we value our heritage, we will want to pass it on to our children, including little bits of ourselves. The way we live, our beliefs, and the character we build all add to the heritage we leave our children.
The internet has several videos to help you learn about your heritage. Why not check them out?