My dad once told me I’d end up homeless when he caught me smoking pot as a teenager. He wasn’t entirely wrong. Years later, I was living out of a backpack, couch-surfing across the country, chasing freedom but drifting from purpose.
That season wasn’t the worst kind of homelessness, but it was a valley, far from the mountaintop I now seek with God.
Looking back today, I see how my lack of direction could have led me to ruin, even if I didn’t realize it then. As a father, I view that moment differently: not just a stumble, but a seed of correction that took years to grow.
As I listened to Pastor John preach Proverbs 13, I saw how it speaks to the heart of discipline—something my dad tried to instill in me, even if I didn’t accept it, and that I now strive to pass on to my children.
Proverbs 13 affirms the way my wife, Amy, and I have been raising our children. Its wisdom is practical. It’s about shaping hearts, forming character, and leaving a legacy that honors God. We’ve always aimed to teach and correct with compassion, not control. And we have always strived for consistent boundaries for our children, and Proverbs reinforces this.
I’m not aiming to raise perfect kids; that’s not the goal. What matters is that they see us modeling the process of growth, with Christ at the center.
It’s about faithfully pursuing the kind of integrity that reflects Jesus—being honest, consistent, and grounded in His character.
Amy and I have made it a point to weave God’s Word into our daily lives—praying, reading Scripture, modeling His character. We haven’t perfected it yet, but every prayer and Bible story builds a foundation.
Every night before dinner, as we bow our heads to praise God as a family, I see the seeds of that legacy taking root—a legacy of faith that could one day grow into a thriving family tree of God-fearing souls, modeling Christ’s character with hope abounding.
I love how Pastor John put it when he said, “You can’t microwave maturity,” a truth rooted in Proverbs 13:11.
Proverbs 13:11—“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”
It’s a slow, diligent work we’ve been committed to as parents. There aren’t shortcuts or instant results to be found.
It’s about showing them that real wealth—true fulfillment—isn’t built quickly, but rather comes through a faithful, day-by-day commitment to living with integrity and love.
Proverbs 13:20—“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
This verse stresses the importance of surrounding ourselves with wise influences. I want my children to see me actively pursue wisdom, not just through words but through the choices I make and the relationships I nurture.
I can’t pick their friends for them, but I can show them what it looks like to walk alongside people who lead with wisdom and integrity.
Amy and I have tried to live this out—being intentional about the company we keep, knowing that the friends we choose shape who we are.
It’s not just about avoiding foolishness; it’s about actively seeking out people who inspire and challenge us to live better ourselves.
Proverbs 13:22—“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”
As I reflect on Proverbs 13:22 and the generations of faith in my family tree—one where Christianity has faded from many branches—I’m filled with both sadness and resolve.
My hope is that the seeds I’m planting now, in both my life and my children’s hearts, will one day blossom into a flourishing tree of faith that reaches far beyond what I can see in my lifetime.
Final Thought:
I may never see the full impact of the faith I’m sowing, but I trust that God will continue His work through my children and their children. What I pass down isn’t material—it’s spiritual. A legacy rooted in God’s wisdom, rippling through generations, echoing into C eternity.
This could be the greatest inheritance I leave—living out God’s wisdom now so my progeny might one day stand on the mountaintop I’m climbing toward.
My compass is Christ, and my hope is a steady walk with Him—guiding my family toward lives that honor God, one faithful step at a time.
Let me know what you think.