Our family recently returned from a trip to the East Coast and New England, and it was absolutely beautiful! One of the highlights was staying at an inn in Vermont with the oldest working brewery in the country--and that was some good beer!
On this trip we visited parts of New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. However, seeing the beauty of these regions is coupled with a grief of knowing how poor the church is doing in these places. My mother-in-law lives in Hudson, NY, which was once known as the "city of steeples" because of so many beautiful church steeples in the town. Now nearly all of those churches are abandoned, empty, and for sale; that is, if they haven't already been turned into dance halls or luxury homes for wealthy weekenders.
We live in a relatively youthful community surrounded by people close to our age. Because of this, I've realized more how much wisdom can be gleaned by spending time with older people. New England reminds me of an older person who is dying unhappy, but is ready to share the wisdom that a long life gives. I love the culture created by the Puritans, and in many ways it's what we would like to do--grow a self-consciously Christian culture. Clearly, what the Puritans left behind was long-lasting; much of the beauty remains 350 years after they started it! It's clear that their efforts were blessed, but the more difficult question remains, how do we guard the faithfulness of our children so that we know our culture is building for eternity, not just the next few hundred years?
It reminds me of a quote I once read, even though I don't remember the quote. It was from a liberal woman pastor endorsing her church's participation in Native American rituals. What I do remember was the there was a notation that she was the great-great-great-great granddaughter of Jonathan Edwards. Lord give me grace and have mercy on my children! (and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren...)
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