The Importance Of Protecting Our Own Genealogy

I have come to the conclusion that respecting and protecting our own genealogy, is of utmost importance. Some families do so by creating a legacy of second and third generation farmers, business owners, academics, fishermen, etc. They become known for what they do for a living, and what they own as a result of what they do.

Some might coast on the coattails of what they inherited from their parents and grandparents. Some people work hard for what they acquire. Others work hard, and don’t become rich at all. The offspring of the rich, might not have to work much. But they may have other burdens to bear.

In many cases, the family history is carried through story telling, learning the language of our forefathers, and passing on traditional holiday, and food preparation traditions to future generations. We also learn a great deal by acknowledging the hardships and sacrifices made by our ancestors. Each country and culture passes their heritage on, from one generation to another. These are the things we cherish about a positive family history. Whether rich or poor, we all carry some of our family traditions. They tend to bring us comfort and security, even if we only got snippets of our past in a fractured family.

On a deeper level, each family has to recognize and build on their strengths, and find ways to overcome their weaknesses. We carry a great deal of history in our genes. Whether we view it as being genetic, nature versus nurture, or spiritual – it is pretty much a given.

A high percentage of the pain we are seeing in this world, is due to family of origin neglect and trauma. Bible believers know we can be afflicted with the sins of our fathers for many generations. It is evident in the number of people who are adopted at birth, yet they often still carry many of the traits, including behavioural traits of the biological parents.

There is probably no greater example in history than in the story of Moses. He was found in the river by Pharaoh’s daughter after his mother placed him in a basket, concealed by the grasses, in order to save him from being killed by the Egyptians. Even though he was actually adopted as a young child, and raised in a wealthy Egyptian court – he ended up denying and rejecting his adoptive mother.

His true lineage was in his blood, and in the established records of his birth parents and family history. He went back to his own people, or lineage – in order to free them from slavery, and the harsh conditions they were trapped in. He had an in-depth compassion, as opposed to an arrogance over his own people. Even though he was raised in a rich environment, and could have lorded it over his people, or simply lounged in the comforts surrounding him – he obeyed God, and honoured his family of origin.

The only way a family can overcome the negatives of the past, is to acknowledge, apologize, and forgive the past. It is crucial to then abandon the demons of the past, and stop repeating the same mistakes. If there is an honest attempt to do good, and abandon evil, we can overcome just about anything.

It seems it is within the family unit, where both the harm, and the healing begins. Perhaps the conflicts, differences, jealousies, and sins of our fathers, are the biggest challenges we face in life. If there was a lack of boundaries, or fairness, or if there was hard core abuse – it has to be dealt with. Eventually. Denial can only postpone things for so long. We do not have to live with festering wounds, if we stop rubbing salt in those wounds, and start the process of healing.

What is the overwhelming pain and trauma that drives so many people to severe addiction? In addition to sexual abuse as a child – neglect, abandonment and rejection are key contributors. Even for children born into affluent homes, if their emotions are not validated, and there are “elephants in the room” that cannot be talked about, it will damage them. If the child is not accepted for who they are – it will cause a great deal of emotional distress.

An oppressive environment is difficult to endure. There is shame associated with just existing, let alone falling into addiction, and becoming a “loser”. You are always shamed, blamed, and scapegoated, often for things you have no control over. Yes we all make choices in life. But sometimes those choices are based on trickery and traps. We do have to forgive ourselves too. For what is addiction – but a trap?

If we deny our history, we are basically throwing the baby out with the bath water. The water is indeed muddied. But just as Cain could not hide what he did when he killed his brother in a jealous rage, nor can we hide what we do to family members. God is well aware of these things.

The most important reason we must protect our genealogy, both good and bad – is because of who we are in the record of the Bible. Incredibly, God has kept a very detailed record of every single one of us. We belong to various different tribes in the historical lineage that spans thousands of years.

People are so enthralled with, and in fear of the mark of the beast, without even acknowledging that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit long before there is even a mention of the mark of the beast. People accept one or the other. Even though there is much speculation about how the mark of the beast will be placed onto people, no one seems to discuss the seal of the Holy Spirit. Why would one be an implanted chip, or some kind of tattoo, and the other is what? How often have we heard theories about the seal of the Holy Spirit?

I think in all likelihood these marks are spiritual, and not physical. We are foolish to place more fear and emphasis on the mark of the beast, while ignoring the protection offered for those who believe in Christ.

On a spiritual level, all of history goes backward and forward. There is a telescoping of sorts. Therefore we need to know what lane we are in, and stay in our lane. Just as there is speculation about the mark of the beast, many want to know who exactly are the 144,000 as described in the Book of Revelation.

In my own interpretation, what the 144,000 illustrates, is that people from every era, and from every tribe and nation are chosen to represent their lineage. There are twelve tribes, and in my opinion, everyone who believes in Christ will belong to one of those tribes, depending on who begat who, in the recorded lineage and genealogy of humankind.

I know some religions believe the 144,000 represents an elite few, but if you read Revelation, you learn this is about all of humankind, from the beginning of time. No one will be discriminated against, because all of the tribes will have people who are chosen by God, and their offspring will not be forgotten.

The interpretation of the Book of Revelation is fascinating, perplexing, and full of mystery. I wondered about the four beasts around the throne of heaven. They are full of eyes, and see what was, what is, and what is to come.

Therefore, what was, what is, and what is to come – is about our ultimate destiny. We would be fools to ignore the fact that God sees what was, what is – and what is to come.

In summary, I believe all people need to come to terms with their own history, and where they are in the tree of life. If not, we risk being pulled out by the roots, and left to rot, or be used as kindling in the lake of fire.

Any attempt to rob us of who we are, is an attempt to destroy the soul. It is an attempt to pluck us out of our place in history, and remove us from our familial lineage, and God’s plan for our life. Few things are more evil in God’s eyes, than trying to steal the life  and soul of any human being, let alone a child.

Anyone who attempts to tear us out by our roots, is making an evil effort to destroy our soul. Beware of the wolves in sheep’s clothing. Protect your ancestry so you can protect your offspring. Whether it is physical, cultural, emotional, or psychological, believe and seek the truth. We all have skeletons in our closets. But if we don’t overcome those demons from the past, they will most likely stay with us, and get worse by the day.

In my own life, a high school teacher, who was a member of a hyper-dispensational religious sect, began to obsess over me, and make claims he was adopting me. I was sixteen, and just months away from graduating from a small town school in Alberta. I did not have any protection from the guy. He colluded with my older brother, who was not able to handle a shred of sibling rivalry.

As a result, I spent years under the guise of the teacher’s adoption lies, and could not get rid of him, or the lies. They repeated the lies so often, the attachment became obligatory and entrenched, even though I had repeatedly said no. Leave me alone. They would not listen to me. They ganged up on me.

The consequences for “my choice” in finally closing/slamming the door on that teacher adoption con, brought about a litany of punishment and backlash. I had tried many times to tell him nicely to get lost. But over a period of many years, he was one stubborn blockhead.

It has been a very long and drawn out ordeal with the teacher, and I still cannot fathom why I have had to endure it, or fight so hard and long to get free of it. My brother exalted the teacher, and invited him to every single family function. He attached himself to me. Beware of push-in predators. They put the onus on you to “be nice”.

They disregard all cues that normal people would clue into. If they can get a foot in the door, they will push the door open and enter. Once they get in – eventually they will take over your house. I do not understand it, and probably never will.

Some people will push boundaries, and will keep pushing, as much as they can get away with. Once you have had to deal with such people, you don’t want to open your door, or your life to anyone. Such experiences change us to the core. I went from being an outgoing, talkative extrovert, to a recluse.

Thankfully I have adapted, and stay busy. I enjoy solitude, because it means no one is attacking me, scheming to set me up, or trying to take over and control my life. This way, no one can make constant demands. It is a relief to finally get free of it all. The teacher and his cult clan – can pound sand.

I now stand firm. There is no backing down. God gave me the resolve, and the words to explain it all. He sealed it on my forehead too. I will not bow down to a lying cult teacher. I am not under the rod of the schoolmaster.

I know where I came from, who my siblings and parents are and were, and where I grew up. I was raised by my parents on a farm with my siblings. I am and was, and will always be, the spitting image of our mother, not the predatory teacher. Our mother’s name was Joy. Our Swedish grandmother nicknamed me Little Joy, when I was a very small child. Why? Because I looked like our mother, and had many of the same traits. I am not ashamed of it either. 

I will give my testimony about the past, and my parents, along with the proof I was never adopted. I was never up for adoption. What older brother thinks he can get away with giving his little sister up for adoption? This was orchestrated when I was on the verge of adulthood. The infatuated teacher was in his late twenties at the time. In hindsight, the whole thing is thoroughly disgusting.

I will not be ganged up on anymore, and dragged out of my own family history and genealogy. Forget it. Their plot has been foiled.

Truth is the best defence. Nothing will overcome the truth. The truth of who we are, was established in our genetic lineage, long before we were born. In fact, the Bible says we were planned for, chosen, and known to God, before he even created the earth. 

If we do manage to overcome the demons from the past – we can face the future with much more confidence. We must hold fast to our genes and bloodlines. I have learned the hard way. You cannot live a life of lies about who you are.

Copyright Valerie J. Hayes and Quiet West (2022). Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Valerie J. Hayes and Quiet West with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.