One of the dearest memories that I have from my teenage years is living in an old two-storey cement block house that had very little insulation. In the winter, we put plastic on the inside of the windows in the upstairs bedrooms to reduce the chilly draft. I used to watch the plastic bulge when it was windy outside, and I was sure that it was going to break. Through the night, the upstairs was heated with an oil space heater under a grate in the ceiling of the living room. We kids slept in our winter coats and socks. I had a dog who kept my feet warm through the night.

Through the school year, the day started before six a.m. There were three siblings at home at this time. We had to walk three-quarters of a mile down to the end of the side road to catch the school bus. The driver would not wait even if he saw us coming.

The memory etched in my mind to this day is that no matter how early I got up and came downstairs for breakfast, Mom would have the wood stove fire started for the day. She would sit with her feet on the oven door trying to keep them warm, reading her Bible. Her Saviour was very precious to her. Mom taught her children the importance of knowing Jesus personally. This legacy goes beyond the grave.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NIV)

I hear many advertisements on media through the day concerning leaving inheritance to family. The ads are from insurance companies. Tragically, our society thinks that money is everything in life.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)

The home that I grew up in never had much financial wealth, but we had parents who told us the good news of Jesus’ love. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin at Calvary. We need to say thank You and live for Him.

We believers need to leave our children and grandchildren the legacy of knowing that Jesus loves them and died to forgive their sin. Encourage them to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Talk to them about eternal things no matter their age.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Calvary. Thank You that Jesus forgives sin. Help us to raise our children knowing that Jesus loves them. Help each of us to love You with all our heart, soul, and strength. Help us to extend Your love to our family, friends, and neighbours. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Copyright © 2022, by Ruth Rowe <ruthjohn.rowe@gmail.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada

Reprinted from PresbyCan with author’s permission