Great Great Grandpa’s
I’ve had more conversations than I can count where I ask a simple question:
“Can you tell me the name of your great-great-grandfather?”
In other words, What was your grandpa’s grandpa’s name?
More often than not, people can’t recall. And if they’re honest, that person has never even come up in conversation.
I ask this question to highlight how precious time is—and how quickly both obstacles and opportunities pass us by. We get caught up in the micro-moments of life far too easily. We let frustration, comparison, and temporary desires cloud our vision of what truly matters.
This isn’t an article about ignoring the small things that need to get done. It’s about reframing our emotions and regaining perspective when we feel like things are either going great or falling apart.
Why the question about Great Great Grandpa’s?
Because if we don’t know their names, that also means we don’t know a list of other things:
What their biggest issues in life were
What their greatest accomplishments were
What they would regret if they could do it again
What they wanted to be when they grew up
What they believed was most important
What kept them up at night when they were anxious
We literally don’t know.
It’s all been lost to time.
Scripture warns us about focusing too much on what is temporary and reminds us to fix our eyes on what will last. Consider just a few examples:
“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” — James 4:14
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:34
“For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow?” — Ecclesiastes 6:12
Mist.
Shadow.
Temporary.
Jesus himself tells us not to obsess over tomorrow because today already has enough weight.
Life is short. Our names will not be remembered for long—much less our desires, accomplishments, or defeats.
What Will Last?
Only one name echoes beyond our mist and shadow.
Jesus.
God’s Word.
God’s truth.
God’s kingdom.
Those things remain.
And because of that, today is a powerful reminder to live for what carries into eternity:
Sharing the love of the gospel
Lending a helping hand
Giving generously to impact others
Spending quiet, focused time with God
Investing in people and in souls
These things are eternal.
MY GRANDPA’S GRANDPA…
This past Thanksgiving, I received an unexpected gift. My Grandpa showed me a picture of his Grandpa—William Greaves, the first in our family to leave England and come to America.
Now I’ve seen his face.
I know a story or two.
Not much else.
What was his father’s name?
No idea.
But what legacy still makes a mark?
The fact that our family knows the Lord.
That’s the echo that reached me.
Thank you, Great Great Grandpa, for that gift.
And thank you, Jesus, for the open invitation to make this mist—this shadow—count for You.
-Mark