Dream Again For Those Who Are Coming Up

There is a generation coming up behind us—and we have the opportunity to set them up for success.

We can play a part in shaping their path for a better tomorrow…

Or we can load them down with our pain, frustration, cynicism, and sorrows.

In Tom Brokaw’s book, The Greatest Generation, he shares inspiring stories of the Builder Generation—but also communicates a less inspiring message: today’s generation just doesn’t have it.

We can’t go back—there’s no time machine.

We’re here. Today.

Maybe we need to dream again for those who are coming up. Perhaps we could build them up with our belief in them instead of loading them down with our critiques of them.

There’s a story in the Bible about Jacob and his family finally moving home after being away for many years. His wife Rachel, who was pregnant at the time, went into labor while they were traveling.

Rachel went into labor—hard, hard labor. When her labor pains were at their worst, the midwife said to her, “Don’t be afraid—you have another boy.” With her last breath, for she was now dying, she named him Ben Oni (Son-of-my-Pain), but his father named him Benjamin (Son-of-Good-Fortune). (Genesis 35.16-18 MSG)

Rachel was the love of Jacob’s life.

Jacob, in his loss, was grieving and in much pain.

Even though he could have resented his child for “causing” his wife’s death, he didn’t.

Even though he could have left the child with Rachel’s label, “Son-of-my-Pain,” he didn’t.

He renamed him Benjamin—Son of Good Fortune.

Jacob dreamed again…

Not just for himself, but for another—who was coming up behind him.

I wonder, will we be like Rachel or will we be like Jacob?

Will we label those who are coming up with our pain, frustration, cynicism, and sorrows?

Like Rachel, will we label the upcoming generation, “disappointing, lazy, selfish, stupid, and pain-causing”?

Or will we be like Jacob, calling those who are coming up, “sons and daughters of good fortune, our pride and joy, our hope for the future”?

I pray we will be like Jacob, and dream again for those who are coming up.