Dads, What Is the Best Gift You Can Give Your Kids?

My dad had an old mantel clock that he received from his father. It belonged to his father’s father. I’ve always thought it was a beautiful piece. It holds sentimental value because it belonged to my great-grandfather, and because my dad literally took it apart, piece by piece, cleaned all the pieces and put it back together -- correctly.

A few years ago mom and dad visited and brought the clock. I am the oldest son, actually, their only son. The intended to keep the clock in the Stinnett family and wanted to give me the clock while they were still alive. It was a wonderful and moving gesture, but honestly, I never really cared much about the clock.

Don’t get me wrong (and don’t tell mom), the clock is a beautiful piece. It still holds sentimental value. However, it IS just a clock.

Dad is gone now; the clock remains. Thankfully, the clock is NOT all that Dad left behind. He was a Christian man, a man of integrity, a true servant. By his life he taught many lessons that are of much greater value than the clock. His words of wisdom are still with me. His devotion to Christ and dedication to God’s word stand as an example to follow.

The clock was a special gift, but his life...a far greater gift.

   A righteous man who walks in his integrity-- 
   How blessed are his sons after him.
   --Proverbs 20:7

Dads, when it comes to our children we have a responsibility. Each day we have a choice. We choose what we will leave behind for our children.

It's fine to leave behind clocks and other things, but wouldn't you like to leave behind the really good stuff? Let's leave our children something far superior to the 'stuff' we possess. Let's leave our children a life of righteousness and integrity that reflects the way of Christ!

Who Are YOU???

Everyone knew Scrooge, in fact, just about everyone ‘knows’ Scrooge. Over 150 years ago Charles Dickens brought to life the character Ebenezer Scrooge in his beloved “A Christmas Carol.” Today the nickname ’Scrooge’ is often pinned on those who lack Christmas spirit.

Scrooge was a money-hungry, miserly old grouch. So, was it his attitude toward money, his harsh business dealings and grouchiness that defined him? Or was it rather that these undesirable traits and behaviors emerged from who he already was?

Dicken’s Scrooge is fictitious, so I'll not argue the point. However, the question is relevant for each one of us. Is it our behaviors and words and moods that make us who we are, or is it who we are that really defines our behaviors and speech and moods?

Think back to a funeral you have attended, not just any funeral, not necessarily the last funeral, but a very specific funeral. Recall a funeral in which the good deeds and kind attitudes and encouraging words of the deceased were remembered and then the speaker added, "That's just the way she (he) was."

Do you see the beauty of that statement? The good deeds and acts of service were not what defined the deceased, they were a natural outcome of who she was already. Her goodness produced good behavior, good attitudes, and kind and encouraging words.

The simple point is that she was defined by her good character; her good behavior was a natural outgrowth of her character, her inner identity.

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People in our day are still ‘trying to find themselves.’ People are still dealing with ‘mid-life crises.’ You have known people who ‘do’ good things, admirable things, even great things, then you see their lives in turmoil because of addictions, immorality, or criminal behavior. Someone quips, “I guess you never really know a person.” All the good is just a lot of ‘doing’ by actors who have no idea who they really are. Lost identity.

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I think most people in our culture see themselves (and others) as the sum total of all they have done. One's identity is defined by a set of accomplishments, a kind of resume’ of life. The longer the resume’, the more significance...or so we think.

Does your resume’ define you, or do you define your resume’? Who are YOU?

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Did you know that your fellowship with God is based on your identity? God does not ask for a resume’, a list of accomplishments, but rather a relationship. He identifies you by your relationship to Him.

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
                                                                                            --Colossians 3:3

The Christian has died and therefore lost his identity, but he is hidden with Christ in God. So, he has not lost his identity.

Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;
and if a son, then an heir through God.
                                                                --Galatians 4:7

The Christian has changed identities, no longer living for himself, but losing his identity in Christ, he is a son of God.

The Apostle Paul challenged Christians to not turn back to their old lives because they had “...come to know God, or rather to be known by God….” (Galatians 4:9)

Do you know who you are?
Are you a child of God,
       known by God,
              awaiting your inheritance?

Who are YOU???