Week after week I visit with men and women, young and old who are battling the demons inherited from their childhood of origin. No adult when discovering they are going to be a parent dreams of their child’s future being impeded by family baggage and yet that is exactly what happens generation, after generation, after generation.
Each and everyone one of us are products of the families in which we were raised or not raised. God does not hold children responsible for the sins of their parents, but the sins (baggage) of the parents often hold children hostage and cling to their souls like barnacles on the bottom of a ship. They create drag thus reducing the speed of travel and over time slowly erode the ability of the vessel to stay afloat.
Day after day, our sons and daughters sail into the headwinds of life, seeking to find and fulfill the reason for their birth but their journey is pirated by the DNA of their family tree and many of them are sinking fast. If our nation and world is has any hope of righting the ship called humanity, we must return to the foundational principles that launched this ship in the beginning, faith, family and friendship.
The teaching of these three values must begin at home and where there is a man in the house, it is paramount that the father lead the way. Surveys, psychologists, adult children and the Bible all agree, as goes the dad so goes the family.
Men, we can change the destiny of our children, by changing the legacy of our family tree. Take the next step men. Invite men into your life circle who share your hopes and dreams for family. Dare to engage in our Family Ministry efforts to make Christ the center of your home. We will teach you, but you have to get involved. Make worship your priority and see how your children respond. Let your children see you pray, read your bible and or a devotional book on a regular basis. Reserve time to play with your children, listen, tuck them in at night, pray over them as they drift to sleep. Establish boundaries for them and know where they are going. Be aware of their life activities and friends. Get involved! Show up when you are expected to show up!
Most of all, honor the mother of your children in their presence with words of praise and expressions of affection. If you are divorced, still speak well of her in the presence of your children, regardless of how she speaks of or treats you.
Do you still need guidance? Go to stmattcpc.org and check our family ministries and ministry to men web pages. Contact Leslie Lummus or Jeff Gehle if you want need a coach or mentor. Contact Our Pastoral Care center if you need counseling. Changing the family legacy is not easy, but wanting to for the sake of our children is the first step.
Together, let’s set our children free from the baggage of our past so they might freely sail into their future and claim the abundant treasure filled life God has in store for each of them.
Happy Father’s Day,
Rick
