Traditions - Positive or Negative?

Everyone likes traditions, right?! It’s something that becomes so apparent to us during special times of the year. We have traditions at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, July 4th, Memorial Day and Labor Day, and probably at other times of the year that each family/friend group has established. Some traditions have been carried on for generations, and some have just begun in a new marriage or with a newborn in the family.

This year we continued a Thanksgiving tradition which my Mom had started with our 2 boys when they were young. A can of jellied cranberries is chilled; later removed from the can whole, and then sliced into about 6-8 slices. We used Mom’s really old metal cookie cutters to make cranberry cut-outs. It’s a great way to encourage kids to eat the cranberries! In the picture below, you see our newly adopted nephews, Ryan and Wyatt, (Lis’s nephews) carrying on the tradition of our sons, John and Chris. Aren't they cute? They really seemed to enjoy this (the big boys and the smaller boys!)

Traditions can be very positive to continue over generations, especially if it involves memories of the family. There can be stories told at certain occasions each year; gardens planted in the same area with the same plants each year; attendance at sporting or entertainment events each year; attendance at your family’s church for generations because it is your family’s church.

But is there a “down side” to traditions? What happens when someone wants to stop a tradition and begin something new? What happens when a patriarch or matriarch dies and the family has to decide what to do about the family traditions? It is so difficult to continue them without the loved one, but then, they are the family traditions! Each and every one of us has to go through this in our lifetime. Tough decisions!

Here’s another scenario which I have experienced in a church. There is a traditional annual event which has been carried out by a group of church members for several generations. Then there comes a time when the members of the group are aging and not as physically able to continue the event. It is hard to find help, but you know what? They somehow continue it because they have always carried out this event for the kids. There was grumbling, questions about “should we continue”, and negativity about being in the situation. This was a tradition given to them from their predeceased families!

I believe that there is a time when God says, “This has come to the end of its season. I have something else I want you to do.” I experienced this at another church when I began a drama ministry with the kids, and yes, both of my boys were in it. The Assoc. Pastor gave me some books to look at which I then turned into a script, but I constantly felt God’s presence during the writing. The kids had fun, learned some scripture, and the play was very well received. The next year, the same thing happened. But after that, I didn’t feel an anointing on the project. I struggled to write something, and the kids did not glean as much from it. A few months later, I had lunch with the Assoc Pastor who was now at another church. She explained that God gives us things to do for a season, and after that, we should stop forcing what had once been a great event. She explained that I should not feel guilty or pressure to do the same thing. It’s season was over.

Let’s just say that was a huge relief to hear that! Now I want you to understand that I am not trying to negate the value of traditions or traditional events. So often they teach us who we are. While traditions are so very positive, there are times when we need to ask God if this tradition/event is still what He wants us to carry on? So often we see churches struggling to continue events which have passed their season, but we have not asked God for guidance in what He wants us to do.

Seek God's guidance in ALL that we do. He has so much for us to do!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel