My dad was about 5'11 and my mom is about 5'6.
I stand at 6'1.
Both my parents had brownish/black hair.
I share that as well.
I've had family members remark how I had various facial features that were straight from one side or the other.
Neither sets of grandparents were necessarily wealthy, nor were my parents. But they all shared a love for the Lord and all ministered in various ways.
Of all the possible things I could have inherited from my parents and ancestors, it is this last trait that I value the most. I love sports and dreamed of playing professionally, yet my genes limited me on that front. It would be great to be able to enjoy the luxuries of riches, but my family won't be passing along copious amounts of wealth.
Time and time again, the Bible reinforces the perspective that a relationship with God trumps all other advantages life can offer (Prov. 1:7, Luke 12:31, John 14:1-6).
In a very real sense, this principle originates in Genesis 4. Genesis 4 is popularly known for containing the story of Cain killing Abel - the first murder. But there's something deeper going on in this passage. The chapter is outlining the fork-in-the-road that all mankind faces at one point or another. Eve, Abel, and Seth show the benefits of cultivating a heart for God while Cain, Lamech, and the rest of that family picture the negative aspects of living life apart from God.
Seth and Cain are particularly held up in contrast to one another. Each begin a family line with Seth's following God and Cain's rejecting the Lord. In the end, it's clear that the best thing we can pass along to our family is not riches or intelligence or fame, but a genuine heart for God.
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