How Did THAT Happen?!

I have blue eyes … Craig has blue eyes … all 5 of our children have blue eyes. Where did these blue eyes come from?!

It’s in the genes.

My dad had a dimple in his cheek … I, too, have been given dimples.

It’s in the genes.

My mom is musical … I am musical … and three of my children were music majors in college. How in the world did that happen?! Did we all hit the same space on “Talent Roulette”? Was it by chance?

No … it’s in the genes.

Craig was an outstanding athlete in high school … he was offered several football scholarships.

All three of our sons are athletic … we have a grand total of 4 North Carolina State Football championship rings in our possession. And now … I am watching the next generation of McLeod boys dribble basketballs … throw footballs … run up and down the soccer field … and hit amazing home runs!

I can’t explain it … all I can tell you is that … it’s in the genes.

Families pass down their strengths … weaknesses … similarities … talents … and physical traits from generation to generation.

It’s in the genes.

Long noses … red hair … big feet … small ears … are all genetic traits that can be traced through the lineage of a family.

The freckles that dance across the mischievous face of a ten-year-old aren’t there by chance! Those energetic freckles likely danced right from the bridge of his grandmother’s nose … and then splashed upon the face of his dad …and wonder of wonders … landed serendipitously on the unsuspecting decade-old man-child of this generation.

Genetics determine our physical strengths and weaknesses … our talents, and mental prowess … and can even dictate vocal inflection.

I read an article about twins that were separated at birth and gloriously found one another decades later. As middle-aged women, they shared the same outrageous sneeze and the laughter that ended in a cackle.

How did that happen?! Genetics made it happen.

We are children of God. Our Dad carries incredible and dominant traits that were always meant to be exhibited in us and through us.

However … in order to carry these traits … we must spend time with Him.

We must take the time to read His Word so we know how He thinks … how He responds … what His emotional make-up consists of … and how He loves.

If you never spend any time at all getting to know Him … how will you ever be like Him?!

As children of God, what are some of the similarities that we share with our Dad.

Our Dad is a wonderful Forgiver! He is filled with compassion and mercy toward those whose character is flawed and whose nature is sinful.

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:5

Are you like your Dad? Are you a gracious forgiver?

You should be an extravagant forgiver because it is in the spiritual genes.

Our Dad knows of no other way to be than to be kind. He is never impatient … frustrated … or cruel.

His lovingkindness lasts for a thousand generations!

Our Father is perpetually and enthusiastically kind!

Are you kind like your Dad? You should be … because kindness is part of our family culture.

“So that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:7

When in doubt … be kind.

When frustrated … act like your Dad and be kind.

When others torment you … just be kind.

We are kind because our Dad is kind … and we want to be just like Daddy!

It’s in the spiritual genes.

Our Dad loves His children with a love that never dies and with a passion that never ebbs. His love reaches the lowest sinner and embraces the wandering prodigal.

When we turn our backs on Him … He loves us still.

“Love” is the family business … and He wants us to join Him in it. The pay is enormous!

We love because our Dad has taught us how to love.

“We love because He first loved us.” – I John 4:19

It’s in the spiritual genes.

Who do you look like? I hope that it is your Dad!

Who do you talk like? I sure hope that it is your Dad!

Whose heart do you have? I pray that you have the Father’s heart.

I hope that you take after your Dad … there is no one like Him!

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Carol McLeod Ministries

Featured Image by David Mark from Pixabay

About the Author

Carol McLeod is a best-selling author and popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol is a prolific author and loves digging for truth in the Word of God. Carol writes a weekly blog, “Joy For the Journey,” that has been named in the Top 50 Faith Blogs for Women. Carol also writes a weekly column for “Ministry Today.” Carol has been married to her college sweetheart, Craig, for 41 years and is the mother of five children in heaven and five children on earth. Graduates of Oral Roberts University, Craig and Carol have spent the past 38 years pastoring churches across America.

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