Our Legacy

Whether they mean to or not, parents hugely affect what the lives of their children will be like.

I was listening to a defensive driving instructor (ok, I have a speeding problem), and he was occasionally throwing in parts of his own life.  His father was a youth pastor.  Sometimes he would throw big parties for the single adults, and they would serve alcohol.  My instructor would be the bartender.  The point of the story was that everyone would spend the night there and not drive while intoxicated.  He later told stories of how much he currently enjoyed drinking at bars till 4am (but not driving).  He also mentioned spending time with his boy, whom he saw a couple of days a week, since the instructor and his wife had divorced.

What I got out of it was that the instructor’s father (apparently a Christian), didn’t leave him a legacy of living for God, but left him a legacy of drinking, which may or may not have resulted in his broken home.  Now the instructor can do the same for his boy.

How powerful are our examples to our children!  How many times have you heard of divorce, alcoholism, abuse, etc. being perpetuated by the next generation.  We need to break the curses we have inherited, and strive to leave a legacy of blessing to our children.

 

Prayer of Blessing

In the last couple of chapters of Deuteronomy and the first chapter of Joshua, there is some good material to pray for God’s blessings on yourself or someone else.

Dear Lord, please give me the good will of Him that dwelt in the bush.  Satisfy me with favor and fill me with the blessing of the Lord.   Do not fail me, nor forsake me.  Make my way prosperous, give me good success, and be with me wherever I go. 

Amen