Now that I am in my seventh decade of living the wishes and desires of my younger years aren’t that important anymore. Being retired I thought that I would see the world at a slower pace however with grandchildren scattered around the country I believe I am busier now than I have ever been. My wife and I along with our traveling friends go as much as possible and enjoy seeing the sights of America plus we take a cruise every now and then to see what is around the world.
Even though some of the goals of yesteryear didn’t materialize, the Lord has really blessed us in allowing us to have what we have. I believe that when we are younger all of us want more than we need and, on occasions, many of us received much more than we ever thought we could have. This doesn’t mean that my wife and I didn’t struggle along the way because we did, as most families do. The Lord blessed us through these times and brought us closer as a family through prayer, love, togetherness, and the by helping each other.
What we learned along the way was much more beneficial to us that having all the amenities of the world that most people desire. Love and family life have been two of our greatest accomplishments and to see our children have these two assets in their life mean so much more to us than having all the riches most people desire. To see our children love the Lord and stay in His Word as their guide line to life are great rewards for as parents. This is so much better than buying their love and giving in to all of their wishes that children have.
As most of us advance in our age one of the biggest thoughts I have had is what am I leaving behind for my children when I leave this world. My materialistic assets are few and financial gains are limited so dividing between four children will be small. I had this conversation with my oldest daughter a few years back and she told me one of the greatest things I have ever heard. She said, “Daddy, you have given us the best thing any one of us could ask for. You gave us your love, you gave us your time, you taught us to live in the Lord, and you loved our Mom and always treated her with respect. There is nothing more that we could ever want from you.”
This statement brought tears to my eyes and filled me with the emotion that God has richly blessed me through my wife, our children, and now our grandchildren. What more could anyone ask for than having the assurance that your children know Jesus as their personal Savior and that they are teaching their children the love of Christ also. Even though my wife and I don’t have materialistic riches we have been blessed beyond measure through what God has given us through family and friends. Money can’t buy either one of these even though many parents have tried to do so.
We are told in Psalm 71:18; “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.” The greatest inheritance that we can give our youth and the youth to come after them is the knowledge of knowing Jesus personally through faith. Hopefully through our life we have been an example of Christ and we will be remembered for this after we have left this earth and joined our Heavenly Father in our eternal home.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the opportunity of knowing you personally. Thank you for your promise of an eternal home with You through our faith and belief in You. Amen.
Suggested Readings
Sunday – Proverbs 16:25-31;
Monday – Titus 2:1-8;
Tuesday – Psalm 71:17-18;
Wednesday – 1 Timothy 5:1-2;
Thursday – Deuteronomy 32:7;
Friday – Colossians 3:12-17;
Saturday – Job 32:7-9
