What's Your Legacy?

   Dear friends, truly our lives were planned by God to make a profound difference upon our world. This world begins at home. Children are to be the first recipients of our Christian legacy. In believing this truth we must ask ourselves how much time and effort is invested in this sacred trust. It has been said, "what a man accomplishes depends on what he believes."

    Christian, all that you are, all the experiences, sorrows and joys were meant to be shared. You are a teacher of life. It is a call you can not afford to ignore. If ever you excel at anything let it be in passing on your personal, godly legacy. Galations 6:4 gives our children a foundation of happiness and God- confidence. "Let everyone be sure that he is doing his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work well done and won’t need to compare himself with someone else." It’s so easy to think that our children will turn out alright. It’s so easy to pursue our own interests and careers when all the time our children are without godly instruction or parenting. Do we really believe our faith and convictions will be passed on to the next generation without intense effort? Ephesians 6:4 urges us in the raising of our children to "...bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Parents must always remember that obedience to the absolute truth of scripture is the defining factor in their personal life. "I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions, He will tell you where to go and what to do." Galations 5:16 Only then are we ready to be the godly teacher not just when the children are in the home but for as long as they live. Loving God requires a lifelong commitment to pass on our Christian legacy to our children and those God brings into our lives. George Eliot wrote this compelling statement. "It is vain thought to flee from the work that God appoints us, for the sake of finding greater blessing, instead of seeking it where alone it is to be found- in loving obedience.

    Parents often ride the wave of discouraging days. Raising children is not for cowards or slackers. However, the results of staying on course are immensely rewarding. When deeply draining days wear you down be strengthened by Galations 6:19. "And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up." This is your finest hour when you present to the Lord and the next generation your greatest reward, a godly legacy.