When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn…. 1 Kings 2:1
What wonderful advice from a father to his son. David was not perfect. He had not always done what he was asking his son to do. In essence, he was saying, “Learn from my mistakes, and be better than I was.” David’s life was a testimony of God’s promises and mercy.
When our kids become adults, they see our flaws (sometimes they have a tendency to magnify them, right?). We are not super heroes, we are humans who make mistakes, have bad days, and at times let our emotions and doubts get the better of us. But we can also show them that God loves us anyway and He will love them if they turn to Him and accept Him as their Savior. That is the legacy we are to leave. It is one thing to lead strangers to Christ, it is another to lead your family who knows all your weaknesses and warts yet can see God at work in you anyway. It gives them hope that He can work in them as well.
Let your growing into adult kids see your humanness, but let them see it in the light of His grace. Let them not only learn from your mistakes, but from God’s mercy as well. By your words and actions they will know when they stumble, and they will as we all do, there is a God and a parent who will forgive and love them anyway.
Our Father in Heaven, Your mercy knows no bounds for those who confess their sins to You. Help us to teach our children to turn to You always, and help us to do as we teach, so that by our examples they may see Your love in action. We pray this through Your Son who by His actions, redeems us all who claim Him as Lord. Amen.
“Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1
