Blog Post: "Are We There Yet?"
How many times were you asked that question as you traveled with the family, whether on Summer vacation, or for the holiday gatherings? “Not quite” or “Almost” never seemed to satisfy.
Do you find yourself asking that question with respect to your role as a parent? “Are we done yet?” In God’s Wisdom, the answer is “no”—and that’s a good thing!
Parenting begins with the birth of your first child. During your lifetime, your role changes from Steward to Advisor. But even after death, you continue in a parenting role—but then as Ancestor. You will exercise that role through Legacy. Legacy is not a legal estate that you hand to your children through your Last Will and Testament. Rather, it is given to them over the course of your life. Legacy is the sum total of all that you were in life and all that you taught them.
God expects parents to ensure that the generations know Him.
In Exodus through Deuteronomy, God directs parents to fulfill this purpose by teaching future generations.
Who God is — His character and attributes
What God has done — His providence and mercy
What God requires of us — His righteousness
This work happens both in life and through Legacy. Listen to the psalmist:
I will sing a song that imparts wisdom; I will make insightful observations about the past. What we have heard and learned - that which our ancestors have told us - we will not hide from their descendants. We will tell the next generation about the LORD's praiseworthy acts, about his strength and the amazing things he has done. He established a rule in Jacob; he set up a law in Israel. He commanded our ancestors to make his deeds known to their descendants, so that the next generation, children yet to be born, might know about them. They will grow up and tell their descendants about them. Then they will place their confidence in God. They will not forget the works of God, and they will obey his commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors, who were a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that was not committed and faithful to God. Psalm 78:2-8 (NET)
This should encourage you and give you hope. You may be tired. You may feel you have done enough. But, you’re not done yet. There is still time for you to have an impact on your children, your grandchildren and many generations to follow.
It is never too late to “tell the next generation about the LORD's praiseworthy acts, about his strength and the amazing things he has done.” You can still leave a legacy that matters to your children and for generations to come.