"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
1 Corinthians 16:13
We live in a time and place where men and women at large are forsaking and shrinking from God-given duty and gender distinctive roles. The time when it was generally understood that the father was responsible for leading and primarily providing for his family is a thing of the past. All around us, we see the legacies of men who where unfaithful in the primary duties that God has given to man. However, from the twisted and perverted culture, the Lord is raising up men, true men. Because of His mercy and grace these men are forsaking the pomp and pleasure of the world and are instead leaving behind legacies of faithfulness. One of these men is my father; allow me to share about the legacy of this faithful man.
A Legacy of Trust in the Lord
My father's trust in the Lord has often reminded me of Job. My father has echoed the very words of Job during times of trial,
"...the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
A Legacy of Honor
I have always seen my father as a man of honor. I have seen my father choose deliberately to honor those around him whether it was simple or incredibly difficult. Above all earthly people, my father has honored his Father.
"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." 1 Peter 2:17
A Legacy of Marriage Esteemed
Since he was a little boy growing up in and around broken families, my father recalls that he knew that marriage was for life. When he became a Christian, this thought became a conviction.
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Genesis 2:24
A Legacy of the Blessing of Progeny
This is one issue on which my father passionately stands. It has been his firm conviction that unless Christians see and receive children as a blessing, there will be no true, lasting reformation in the land.
"As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalms 127:4&5
A Legacy of History
Some of my sweetest memories of being a little girl are when my father would regale me with stories. "Just one more story, Daddy!" was my often plea at bedtime which my father would graciously oblige. These stories did more than make little girls giggle or tear. These stories from the past gave us an early love for history; an interest and love in how God works in the lives of His people.
"I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done." Psalms 78:2-4
