When there is more traveling road behind you than in front of you, it makes sense to pause in life and take note of those principles that have served you well over the years. Personally, I want to firmly hold on to those life principles that have proven the test of time and are worthy to hand down to my children, or to those near me. Some of the principles that we live by are naturally absorbed by those around us while other principles need to be verbalized as we go through life. An important question I pose to you is, “Which of life’s lessons do you desire to pass on to your loved ones so they can choose to make them part of their lives?” The psalmist spoke of hope, and righteousness, and salvation. “But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure” (Psalm 71:14-15). I have no words that can adequately express my gratitude and gratefulness to the Lord who gave me the hope and salvation that has changed my life. This is the unmatched legacy I wish to share with you.

You may be wondering, what does all of this have to do with building an unmatched legacy? Well, a lot! You see, whether you have children who are young, or you don’t have any at all (yet), or you have children who are in high school, or older (college or married), it is imperative to ponder this. As a parent, if you haven’t thought about leaving a legacy behind for your children, then what a better time to think about this than now. I get a big laugh when I see one of those nice big motor homes that tote the bumper sticker on it that says, “I’m spending my kid’s inheritance.” Yes, that has crossed my mind.

When I think about a legacy that I want to leave for my children, I can assure you and them, it is not going to be a stack of $1000 bills. No, the unmatched legacy I want to leave my daughters and grandchildren is going to be about who we are—loving Christ and trusting in Him no matter what comes our way. This is the way it has always been for my wife and me. He is the most amazing living God and I owe Him my all because of his son Jesus Christ who paid the greatest sacrifice for me so I could enjoy the blessing of forgiveness and the freedom of new life today (John 15:13-17).

My two daughters growing up have seen my deep interest in reading and studying the Bible. When my oldest daughter, Autumn, was just 4 years old she came downstairs one morning as she knew I got up early to read. She ended up quietly sitting on my lap as I read aloud and then she asked me if she could turn the page for me. In doing so, her teeny fingers tore out a little corner of the page, just as if she had pinched the paper off perfectly. She said, Daddy, I am sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose, I’m sorry. I consoled her and said that’s okay, and I took a pen and wrote beside the missing cut out, Autumn-4 years old. To this day Autumn knows I love to read my Bible and every time I come to the first chapter of Colossians and I see that small piece of the page torn out, I will remind her of that day way back when and we get a big laugh out of it.

Several years ago, Autumn said, “Dad, not to sound morbid or anything, but can I have your Bible when that day comes.” I said absolutely. You are the one who remembers it the most. Upon hearing such news my youngest daughter, Brittney, chimed in and said, “Dad, but I won’t have a Bible from you.” So, what did this wise Dad do? He came up with a plan to meet this legacy need. For my birthday, my wife bought me an NIV wide margin Bible and I have since begun to transfer all my handwritten notes from my old 1975 bible (from my Bible College days) to this new bible, being fashioned just for my second daughter with all my sermons and handwritten notes. I sometimes feel like a monk in the dark ages transcribing letter by letter, word for word, from one Bible to the other, including my newly entered notations.

For you as parents, or those who will one day be blessed to be a parent, you are the role models, and everything you do on a daily basis is an example for your children regardless of their age.Remember that old adage, “The Christian faith is caught, not taught.” How you and I live our lives is going to have a lifelong impact on our children. As we think about an unmatched legacy that we can give to our children today and forever, let me give you a few other thoughts and then you can add your own to them. Keep in mind that when I use the word legacy, I am not talking just about what you leave behind (materially and financially), but also what lifelong principles are you handing down to your children in the present—out of your own life.

Passion Principles to Live By:

[if !supportLists]1. [endif]One of the greatest principles (gifts) my mother gave us children was to love us even when we were unlovable. As a parent you need to love your children—tell them often even when they mess up. It’s not enough to just always be correcting them; we need to teach them the values we want to have them learn (how to be kind, to speak with truth, how to love as Christ first loved us…). Teach them the life lesson and make it a teachable moment (Ephesians 6:4).

[if !supportLists]2. [endif]Another principle is to provide your children with an attainable vision of how you see them being successful in life, both now and in their future. Capitalize on their strengths and talents. Show them how to forge through those areas of need. I recall one of my daughters coming to me during her early college years and saying, “Dad, I’m not sure what it is I am supposed to do with my life.” My response to her was in the form of a simple question…what is it that you are passionate about and let that be your guide. The Lord will do the rest! And He did.

[if !supportLists]3. [endif]One thing that impressed me the most during the days of my youth was that no matter how much trouble we got into as teenagers, my Dad and Mom showed us that wrong choices could always be made right. My parents taught me and my siblings by example that they would never leave our side no matter how difficult it got—teach your children to face difficult times with perseverance. Let them know you’re standing with them to the end. It may not have always been a pleasant time, but we got through it together. When I was growing up, there were lots of hard knocks along the way for my family, dark seasons; some might have said we faced many failures, but it wasn’t until I became a young adult that life took on new meaning and I was able to redirect a different course for my life, thank you Jesus. A well known actor and comedian, Mickey Rooney, said of failure, that, “You always pass failure on your way to success.” I first had to learn how to accept my failures and with the help of my parents and great mentors I was able to find the successes that were to follow.

[if !supportLists]4. [endif]One of the greatest life principles I learned while coming to know our Lord, was that of forgiveness. Teach your children the meaning and power of forgiving others and the redemptive power that awaits them, as well as, the gratitude that will follow when they come to understand the forgiveness of Christ (Colossians 3:13).

[if !supportLists]5. [endif]Above all, the greatest unmatched legacy to leave your children is that of your undying faith; faith that proclaims the presence of the Lord no matter what turn(s) in the road life brings your way (Psalm 71:14-16). Whether it be in sickness, in health, or in the loss of your possessions, your faith will always demonstrate a living hope as you praise Him more and more (Revelation 2:10).

Once you’ve identified those golden nuggets to give your children, then sit back and enjoy the successes that will be sure to follow. Have my past failures kept me from a successful life? Absolutely not, and the same can be for you and your children! Start now by identifying what values and special items you wish to start building your legacy—most importantly with the spiritual values and truths that are everlasting. It is never too late to start a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Leave them a legacy they won’t forget and will enjoy now and into their future. I’m still working on mine. Until then…