By Rhonda Stinson
Becca E. Dougherty was born in 1864 in Ohio. She had at least 1 daughter with Joseph Mitchell. She died in Adams, Ohio at the age of 17. Her daughter’s name was Electa “Lefty” Mitchell.
We had always wanted to know why mom’s grandma was nicknamed “Lefty.” I started digging into family history and found that Lefty’s mother, Becca, died in childbirth so Electa was left on a doorstep for someone else to raise. There’s even a story passed down that a woman in the family line was kidnapped by some Native Americans and was forced to marry into their tribe and had children. I haven’t looked into it, but my great-grandmother was definitely Native American. Looking into your family tree can be interesting and surprising. It gives you a sense of who you came from and even events that brought out the character and personality of your relatives. When I look into the mirror, I can see traits that are identical to those of ancestors I’ve seen in pictures.
Identity. It’s something that we all desire. We want to know who we are, where we came from, and what our potential is. In this present world, there has been an identity crisis. People cannot figure out who they are, and in many cases, even what gender they are. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27.) This is the identity of every human being on the earth. We were created by God. God created male and female. We were created in the image of God. Let this verse sink in. You were created by the Creator of the Universe! You are His special creation and He has put His identity stamp on you by creating you in His image! You need not be confused about your gender because you are either male or female based upon your body make-up at birth!
Every Christian should be able to see character traits that are comparable to those of God. God is loving, patient, kind, generous, faithful, gentle, self-controlled, peaceable, joyful, forgiving, merciful, just, and impartial just to name a few. A believer should be easily recognized by displaying characteristics such as these.
Yes, I am privileged! I deserve nothing, but God has given me everything I need and more! I have a spiritual heavenly tree and an earthly family tree. Visiting the local library genealogy department will provide information that I need for my earthly tree, but only God’s Word can give me what I desire to know about my spiritual tree. I can truly say that my Father is an artist, a genius, industrious, beautiful, caring, magnificent, all-powerful, all-knowing, capable of being everywhere at once, impartial, just, king, a provider, protector, orderly, compassionate, a skilled musician, an author, and a nature enthusiast.
Wow! Think of that! If you are a born-again believer, God is your Father. If you are struggling with your view of God, I would suggest beginning a study on the attributes of God. He is the perfect Father and desires that we seek to know Him more. He wants a relationship with you. He wants you to converse with Him and He with you.
Water your spiritual family tree today by digging into the Bible. You just might find something interesting and surprising!
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
“For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:13-14).
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