I just celebrated a milestone birthday—one that required registration with the federal government (no, I didn’t just turn 18 and register for the draft). Truth is, we’re all getting older. How do you see yourself?
I’ve never been graceful. I’m a bit of a klutz. So I won’t age gracefully.
I do, however, aim to age graciously. 
“Fathers and mothers, do not forget that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear.”
J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
It is estimated that 40-50% of American adults read at or below an 8th grade level. Think about it — four of ten adults in church may have trouble reading.
How can we help?
What I received from my parents and grandparents is my inheritance. What I leave my children and grandchildren is my legacy.
Lord, may I accept my inheritance with forgiving gratitude and offer my legacy with humble grace.
No question, some people have bad parents. And some folks assume that those children are destined to repeat the sins of their parents:
Numbers 14:18 (MSG)
God, slow to get angry and huge in loyal love, forgiving iniquity and rebellion and sin; Still, never just whitewashing sin. But extending the fallout of parents’ sins to children into the third, even the fourth generation.
If you were abused by your father, you carry scars on your soul. Likely your father and his father carried similar scars. But you are not without hope.
By the grace of God, you can be the last generation.
What’s the best thing a father can do for his children?
I’ll take “honor God” (“all of the above” is also a good choice).
Whether your father honored God or not, you have a choice. Choose wisely.
1 Kings 2:3
Keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written.
I say, “not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Do I mean it?
Lord, your will be done in my child’s life–even if that takes him far away, or puts him in harm’s way, or sets him in a place of poverty. May he be exactly where you want him to be.
Make me want what you want, Lord God.
Do you remember the story of the rich young ruler, the one who asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life? Jesus knew that money stood between our young man and his eternity:
Mark 10:21 (CEV)
“Go sell everything you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven.”
But the man couldn’t do it.
What if his mother had been praying that he’d let loose of worldly riches and seek God with his whole heart? What if she’d prayed, “Your will be done, Lord.” Would that have changed the outcome?
Genesis 1:3
“Let there be light.”
Big power packed into four words.
(God knows how to keep it short and simple)
