Thursday, May 24, 2007

legacy of faith

I was due to post a song :)... another one of my favorites....



The first time I heard this song, "Legacy" by Nichole Nordeman, I really began to wonder what my legacy would be to my kids. What would they remember about me? What would they say about me? That really gave me pause especially when I sometimes go through my day short-tempered, weary of the whining and sibling squabbles and just feeling like the only thing they are going to remember is me getting after them about something. After we dedicated our children at church when they were infants, I realized the most important thing Bob and I are called to do as a parents of children on loan from the Lord is to impart our faith and belief in Jesus Christ as the one and only way to heaven. That has to be our primary legacy to them. A nice house, nice "things," neat vacations, etc. are temporal and are blessings from Him that we don't deserve. Yet, he has lavished them on us anyway. What we need to leave is something everlasting...something eternal....you can't take your stuff with you to heaven...we need to leave a legacy of faith. I want to see my babies in heaven, and faith in Jesus is the only way.

Below is a daily email devotion I received yesterday which addresses this whole idea of faith and our legacy as parents. When I read it, it really struck a chord in me. I don't know that we are slated to raise a John and Charles Wesley, but hopefully, Bob and I are raising two kids that will be servants and do the great things HE has planned specifically for them.
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May 23, 2007

A Legend of Faith

By Susanne Scheppmann

"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come." Psalm 71:18 (NIV)

Devotion:

Susanna Wesley's life changed history. How? She gave a legacy of faith to her children. Born in 1669 to a Christian minister and his wife, she grew up in a culture of devout Christian faith. Susanna imparted her understanding of Christ to her own children, instructing them in biblical knowledge and praying diligently for them an hour each day. At least once a week she took them aside individually to discuss spiritual matters.

Her legacy to this world is John and Charles Wesley. Both of these men became leaders in the spiritual revival known as "The Great Awakening." John Wesley founded the Methodist denomination and other Wesleyan denominations, as well as theological beliefs and traditions that are named after him. Charles Wesley not only preached but also wrote many of our traditional hymns.

Susanna's maternal influence bore rich fruit in these men's lives. The power of their Christian faith came about as a direct result of their godly mother. She actively lived out her faith in their home. Her accomplishments as a mother resulted in sons who continued to pass down her inheritance of faith.

Throughout Scripture, examples are given of women who influenced their children in a godly way. The mother of Moses hid him for three months and then placed Moses in a water resistant basket to save him from death. Moses led the children of Israel out of slavery. Hannah dedicated her three-year-old son, Samuel, to the Lord. He became a mighty prophet. The apostle Paul wrote about a mother and grandmother who influenced a young disciple named Timothy. "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also" (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV).

What word described their faith? Sincere faith. Timothy's grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice, held a positive sway in the life of Timothy because of their sincere faith. I do not want my children to see my faith as a mediocre belief system. I want to leave them a legend of living and active faith.

Proverbs 17:6 states, "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children" (NIV). Although I am certainly not Susanna Wesley, I hope my children take pride in me as their mother. (I am certainly glorying in my grandchildren!) I wait with great anticipation to see what Christian heritage will pass from me, to my children, and to my grandchildren.

So what will be our legend of faith? Shall we begin today to live out a dynamic faith that our children can watch, understand, and imitate?

Dear Lord, I desire to leave a legacy of faith to my children. Inspire me to pray for them daily. Instruct me on how I may leave an inheritance of godliness to my children, my grandchildren, and to others who look to me as an example. Lord, let my faith shine brightly even after I leave this earth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

3 Comments:

Courtney said...

wow! i haven't heard that song - i love it.

"Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?" - that's going to echo in my head all day....

have a good day, my friend!

Anonymous said...

As your mother, and your children's grandmother, I am seeing the fruit of my prayers over all of you being manifested in so many ways. I give thanks to God everyday for all He has done and is doing in our family.

Although I have made many mistakes over the years, I have never waivered in my personal faith and my faith that our Lord would direct your lives and protect each of you. You can never know the many prayers and tears I have sent to heaven over the years and have seen His awesome hand in our lives.

You are picking up from my generation and carrying the torch. You are doing a wonderful job and I am very proud of you.

I have recently learned that on my Dad's side of the family, the Morgans have a long Christian history and connection to Methodist ministries in Kansas.


In His love,

Mom

Debbie said...

Thanks, Mama! Sometimes I just have to call you mama....just like Lindsey calls me...