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Many families have a secret recipe, a special way of cooking a dish that makes it especially savory. For us Hakkas (my Chinese ethnic group), we have a traditional dish called abacus beads, named for its beadlike appearance. Really, you have to try it!

Of course Grandma had the best recipe. Each Chinese New Year at the family reunion dinner we would tell ourselves, "We should really learn how to cook this." But we never got around to asking Grandma. Now she is no longer with us, and her secret recipe is gone with her.

We miss Grandma, and it's sad to lose her recipe. It would be far more tragic if we were to fail to preserve the legacy of faith entrusted to us. God intends that every generation share with the next generation about the mighty acts of God. "One generation commends [God's] works to another," said the psalmist (Ps. 145:4), echoing Moses' earlier instructions to "remember the days of old . . . . Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you" (Deut. 32:7).

As we share our stories of how we received salvation and the ways the Lord has helped us face challenges, we encourage each other and honor Him. He designed us to enjoy family and community and to benefit from each other.

Is there someone from a different age group with whom you can share your faith journey? How about asking someone from an older generation to share their story with you. What might you learn?

Share your story at ourdailybread.org/story. While there check out stories of God at work in lives of people around the world.

What we teach our children today will influence tomorrow's world.

INSIGHT:

Psalm 145 is the last psalm in the final collection of psalms penned by David (Pss. 138-145). It celebrates God as the sovereign King (vv. 1-3, 10-13) and speaks of His majesty, generosity, and greatness--His "mighty acts," "awesome works," and "great deeds" (vv. 4-6). David also highlights God's goodness: He is "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love"; "trustworthy in all he promises"; and "righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does" (vv. 7,8,13,17).

When South African pastor Andrew Murray was visiting England in 1895, he began to suffer pain from a previous back injury. While he was recuperating, his hostess told him of a woman who was in great trouble and wanted to know if he had any counsel for her. Murray said, "Give her this paper which I have been writing for my own [encouragement]. It may be that she will find it helpful." This is what Murray wrote:

"In time of trouble say:

First--God brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place. In that I will rest.

Next--He will keep me in His love and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.

Then--He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.

Last--In His good time He can bring me out again--how and when He knows.

I am here--by God's appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time."

We want the instant solution, the quick fix, but some things cannot be disposed of so readily; they can only be accepted. God will keep us by His love. By His grace, we can rest in Him.

Dear Lord, it's hard to endure times of illness and suffering. Comfort me and help me to trust You.

When God permits suffering, He also provides comfort.

INSIGHT:

James saw himself as a servant of Christ (James 1:1), even though he was Christ's half-brother (Matt. 13:55). He did not come to faith until after Jesus's resurrection (John 7:3-5; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 15:7) and eventually became a leader in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13). In writing this letter to Jewish believers who had been scattered because of persecution, he focuses on Jewish thinking and values: It is highly practical, intensely candid, and wisdom-oriented. Because of its practical application, it has been referred to as the "Proverbs" of the New Testament.