Help! Love, MOM

Proverbs 13:22a A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. ESV

Don’t you love celebrating the good?

My friend told me that her family keeps a cart open on Amazon. At regular intervals she places the order. Her entire family participates in this process.

Everyone, except dad.

My friend also said that in her family they rarely use the local car wash because her husband makes sure that their cars—ALL of their cars—are kept shining and beautiful because Dad cleans them all.

So, when Dad placed a car wash chair in the cart (ahead of Father’s Day, hint, hint) the family was happy to purchase it. PERFECT gift for the man because he chose it himself.

(BTW I have no affiliation with any of the sellers, I just wanted you to have an idea because I had never seen such a chair prior to hearing the story.)

An opportunity to get something for dad that we know he wants. YES!!

Daughter and son were on it. The car wash chair of Dad’s choice arrived. On Father’s Day the gift was unwrapped.

Dad was beyond pleased!

Picture it. The man is super excited to receive his handpicked gift.

Eyes lit, mouth grinning and brimming with all the exclamations, “O man!” “This is the best!” “Thank you!!” all the things — marinate on this — to help him to continue to wash the family’s cars.

I don’t think we should rush past that. Dad wants a gift to help him to keep serving the family well.

That is love in action and that is a man leaving a legacy of how to take care of a family through acts of service.

On the other hand, another dad I know is struggling with an addiction that has hounded him for a while, but which he has, in the last 5-ish years, attempted to rein in.

It takes strength to pivot and to stay in a struggle rather than to just give in.

One of the reasons he is motivated to resist his particular compulsion is that he wants to be more present in this season. He believes and regrets that he was not when his children were younger.

Recently he relapsed. Beating up himself verbally, my friend lamented how he is his own worst enemy.

I can relate. Me too.

This man is attentive and whip smart, a dad who is affectionate, hilarious, humble and focused on the welfare of his children .

He is also a dad who, by resisting dependency, is leaving a legacy of endurance. As he continues to engage with the challenges of his fight, he will surely also enjoy the freedom to live the life God has called him to live.

What an example to leave for his children!

But, of course, both men are leaving legacies of love through service, leadership, protection, and care for their children, and through their kids also for their future grandkids.

Certainly, the grandchildren’s parents will remember their fathers’ sacrifices.

Do live the life to which the Holy Spirit calls you.

This is none other than a life of, sometimes, laborious work in the name of Jesus advancing the Kingdom of God through loving and serving your family well.

I pray that all our Dads continue to, daily, fight their good fight of faith! 1 Tim 6:12