A Faith-Full Legacy
Judi Wheat, Next Gen Preschool (KidzPark) Curriculum Coordinator
In August of this year my mother turned 100 years old. When we mentioned to her that she would be celebrating her 100th birthday, her response was as follows: “God has truly blessed my life, I never thought I would live to be 100.” In Exodus 20:12 it states, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” In Ephesians 6:2-3 it says, “'Honor your father and mother.' This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, 'things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.'” And in 1 Kings 3:14, “And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” My mother did honor her parents and walked in obedience to God’s commands for most of her life.
I had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home; and the motto for our home could be summed up in these words of Joshua, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” And that is exactly what my parents did. As far back as I can remember my mother would sit at the kitchen table in the morning reading her Bible along with her cup of tea. She never missed having morning devotions. And each night as a family we would read the Bible, talk about our day, and have prayer together. I also remember that I would see my father next to his bed on his knees praying before going to bed.
I have been left a wonderful faith-full legacy. Both my parents modeled what it means to have an intimate relationship with Jesus. They spent time with God in daily Bible study; they prayed without ceasing; they weaved into our home every aspect of the Gospel message; they made sure we read the Bible as a family; they practiced what they “preached”; they asked forgiveness when they made mistakes and could say and mean the words, “I’m sorry”; and they always gave generously.
My mother followed Colossians 3:12, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Those traits have flowed freely from her because she knows she belongs to Jesus and serves Him. Even though she cannot walk, can no longer take care of herself, or hear, she can still say with conviction, “God has truly blessed my life.”
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| Photo by Tim Cooper on Unsplash |
In August of this year my mother turned 100 years old. When we mentioned to her that she would be celebrating her 100th birthday, her response was as follows: “God has truly blessed my life, I never thought I would live to be 100.” In Exodus 20:12 it states, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” In Ephesians 6:2-3 it says, “'Honor your father and mother.' This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, 'things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.'” And in 1 Kings 3:14, “And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” My mother did honor her parents and walked in obedience to God’s commands for most of her life.
I had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home; and the motto for our home could be summed up in these words of Joshua, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” And that is exactly what my parents did. As far back as I can remember my mother would sit at the kitchen table in the morning reading her Bible along with her cup of tea. She never missed having morning devotions. And each night as a family we would read the Bible, talk about our day, and have prayer together. I also remember that I would see my father next to his bed on his knees praying before going to bed.
I have been left a wonderful faith-full legacy. Both my parents modeled what it means to have an intimate relationship with Jesus. They spent time with God in daily Bible study; they prayed without ceasing; they weaved into our home every aspect of the Gospel message; they made sure we read the Bible as a family; they practiced what they “preached”; they asked forgiveness when they made mistakes and could say and mean the words, “I’m sorry”; and they always gave generously.
My mother followed Colossians 3:12, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Those traits have flowed freely from her because she knows she belongs to Jesus and serves Him. Even though she cannot walk, can no longer take care of herself, or hear, she can still say with conviction, “God has truly blessed my life.”