Dear Legacy Dads,It has been a while since I posted, not because I do not want to, rather, life has been somewhat busy. This past weekend was pure excitement and joy for me. First of all, my son, decided to finally make a profession of Faith and now is a new member at our church. He really has been saved since about 3 (he truly gets his salvation), but I didn't want to pressure him, instead I wanted him to own his faith. So he went through our Church Class to become a member and this weekend he brought me joy.
I am not sure about your goals and dreams, but my wife and I have a top priority and that is leading the type of life where our faith is real and our kids really want to own it. Our prayers have been that they will all come to know the Lord as Savior. So far, we are two out of three and I couldn't be happier. The youngest is very smart, and may even be able to comprehend her love toward Jesus, but I am waiting on her (not what I want).
The coolest part of this weekend is just how much he internalized the moment. I was so excited that he was called to be called a son of God and now to have a community of believers walk around him as he grows in wisdom and discernment. This was a very humble moment for me and I am still so thankful that the first of three has made a profession of Faith.
My in-laws made the trip out to attend this service and I was just so excited by the Legacy of Faith that was present. My mother-in-law and father-in-law raised girls that love the Lord, love their husbands and teach their children scripture and purity - it is an amazing thing to watch and I am so thankful that God keeps all of his promises (even when we don't).
He is a God of second and third and so many chances because He loves us so much that He gave us His only Son. With all this joy in my life that came from this event and the weekend of worship and praise, I didn't think I could get any more excitement until she walked into my room and I paused and took a picture.
I am not sure about you (who have daughters) but I can tell you that I would sacrifice my life and for any one of my kids and that I want them to enjoy their lives and to love their spouses and to love the Lord with all their mind, body, soul and strength. My middle child walked into my room and showed me a glimpse of my future (Excitement) and to be perfectly honest (as a father) some concerns:
- Am I being the dad/father that I need to be?
- Am I teaching my girls what to look for in a man?
- Am I treating them like I should be (the way that I want their husbands to treat them)?
- How can I be more intentional in my parenting and influence?
- What else do I need to be doing?
- Am I giving them enough of my time (hugs, kisses and quantity of time)?
- Are my wife and I parenting as well as we should be?
- I only have just under 10 years left to truly parent with 100% influence? What's next?How can I get others to help me along this process?
When it is all said and done, I would like to achieve a few things in my life:
- To lead a humble and content life
- To leave a legacy for my wife and kids and men that follow
- To leave a love that can never be replaced (except by my kids spouses and their new lives together)
- To have my tombstone say that I did it right
- and most important to hear the words from our Lord, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."
What about you?Blessings,
D