A Father's Legacy - Ruffles and Rifles

A father’s legacy is not measured by who he is, but what he imparts to his children.

There are many great fathers, father’s that have believed in and played with their children, changed countless diapers, watched recitals, taught them the art of fishing, how to use tools, and change oil in the car. All have paid great prices for their children.

And in the simplicity of life, we watch as children naturally mimic their fathers. They walk around in their big shoes, hoping someday they’ll grow up to be as great as their dad.

But the greatest fathers all have one thing in common, they show their children the perfect heavenly Father. The Father who never leaves or forsakes, who never fails, who keeps all His promises, who is always good, and whose love endures forever.

“How great is the love of the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.” 1 John 3:1

I am grateful for a heritage of grandfathers and a Dad who love God, and always pointed their children towards Him.
The heritage of a great-grandfather who was a circuit rider, going from church to church in the Midwest, spreading the gospel of peace. The heritage of grandfather who didn’t have any form of godliness in his life until after the War and fell in love with a Savior who loved him and changed his life forever. The heritage of another grandfather who gave up the life he knew as a farmer to become a missionary in a vast, cold, frontier. The heritage of a father who loves God’s creation and gave up his career to go to seminary and become a pastor, because he wants everyone to know the truth of His Word.

And I am so grateful for a husband who is an incredible father to our boys. I love watching him interact with them, teach them, discipline them with love and tenderness, and believe in who God has called them to be. He gets up before the rest of us and spends his first part of the day, setting an example of what a man’s life is truly dependent on. The grace of God.

None of them are perfect, they’ve all made mistakes. And yet, their devotion to God has set their legacy on a path of incredible wealth.

A great blessing remains for those who impart dependence upon God. A chapter in Isaiah talks about restoration, beautiful restoration where there was previously destruction. The Father of all creation restores communion with God.

Isaiah 54:13 “All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace.”