It’s always joked about that children reflect back the quirks of the parent, and when we see it we seldom recognize it. Well, as they grow it becomes more apparent and those little personality quirks extend into world views. They move beyond ‘Sunday School faith’ into what they truly believe. How they approach that will be anchored to how we approached it. They are watching; in all things be Christ to them. Love unconditionally; sacrifice; forgive; teach; uphold; rebuke; correct; train; love unconditionally.
…arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God…
Psalm 78:6-7
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
- Proverbs 20:7
I’m not a perfect man
No matter how hard I try, I will fail them
But I pray my children see what carries me
Through every stumble, every lost battle
The cross in me, the only strength they’ll need
If my voice should fade before they’re grown
Let them hear Your truth in the cracks of my own
When they’re grown and moved on with their lives
Will they remember my love and my advice
Not just a faith I spoke, but a faith I lived
Cherishing their hearts with all I could give
Teach me to hold these fleeting days with care
To guide with patience, to listen, to prayer
Not chasing riches, not trophies of men
But raising souls that are Yours in the end
I can’t control the storms they’ll face
But I can guide their steps to Your embrace
When they’re grown and moved on with their lives
Will they remember my love and my advice
Not just a faith I spoke, but a faith I lived
Cherishing their hearts with all I could give
Will they recall the patience, the mercy, the grace
The prayers whispered softly, the tears on my face
Will they see a father who wrestled and bled
Yet showed them the cross in the life that he led
I will fail them, I know I will
But let the cross in me speak louder still
Not my glory, not my name
But Christ within me, yesterday, today, the same
When they’re grown and moved on with their lives
Will they remember my love and my advice
Not just a faith I spoke, but a faith I lived
Cherishing their hearts with all I could give
Will they recall the patience, the mercy, the grace
The prayers whispered softly, the tears on my face
Will they see a father who wrestled and bled
Yet showed them the cross in the life that he led
And when their hands guide the children they raise
May echoes of my voice be hymns of praise
Not to my glory, not to my name
But to Christ in them, through a father’s flame
Through a father’s flame