Passing the Baton

A grandfather and child walking together in warm daylight, a quiet picture of legacy being passed forward.

Theme: Passing the Baton
Verse: "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4)

A few weeks ago during church, I couldn't help but notice how engaged the youngsters were during the service. They weren't disruptive by any stretch of the imagination. They were simply excited to be there. The music moved them to dance together in the pews, seemingly without a care in the world.

Oh, to be young again!

I've been on this planet for three score and six years (I'll let the math—and maybe even the vocabulary—nerds figure out exactly how many years that is). I'm also blessed with a couple of grandchildren. Watching those children worship with such joy made me stop and think about the kind of world my generation is leaving for them.

This isn't going to be a complaint about how much worse the world has become. Quite honestly, I believe many of the advances we've experienced have created opportunities previous generations could only imagine.

Instead, this is about legacy.

Proverbs tells us, "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children." That inheritance is about much more than money. It's about the values we model, the faith we pass on, and the example we set so our children and grandchildren can grow into capable, compassionate adults who love the Lord.

Dave Ramsey often says that our job as parents isn't to raise good kids; it's to raise good adults. There's a world of difference between the two.

The true measure of parenting isn't how well-behaved our children are at age ten. It's the kind of people they become at thirty, forty, and beyond. The interesting thing is that you never stop being a parent. Eventually, though, you pass the baton to the next generation. As grandparents, we have the privilege of stepping back and watching them run their leg of the relay.

In many ways, that's the final exam.

To the generation following mine, I hope you feel we've led you well. We certainly weren't perfect, but we did the best we knew how with what we had. Now the baton is in your hands. My prayer is that you'll run your race faithfully, keep your eyes fixed on Christ, and pass the baton to those who follow, leaving them an even greater legacy than the one you received.

Have a GREAT week!