Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111
What kind of heritage do you have? Is it a proud one? Or is it something you hide? Do you come from a line of statesmen - preachers - physicians - military men? Or do you come from a line of hopeless failures - men who struggled with life - whose children rarely speak much of them after they are gone? Unfortunately, too many of us have been left a heritage that is less than ideal.
The truth is: a heritage is not important. God can change the course of future generations through the words and actions of one man. Too often, however, what we are given by those who come before us impedes who we are today. It alters the choices we make. It distorts our belief in who we really are - about who God intended us to be.
Sadly, the heritage that harms us the greatest is given by those who should believe in us the most. The words and actions of our parents may instill hope, or they may bring despair. How many of us have heard the words, "You are a disappointment to me"? How many of us live up to low expectations, rather than rising above them? When will we learn that the only heritage that is truly important comes from our Heavenly Father. His Word - His action - is our heritage. He believes in us. How can we do any less?
Father, I want my heritage to be found in You. I want to pass along a heritage of godliness to my children and grandchildren. I want them to someday look back and see how the course was changed. Forgive me for the wrong words I say to my children. Help me to always guide them to You.