I’m getting ready to head to the Teach Them Diligently Marketplace in Little Rock, Arkansas this weekend to help some friends of ours get started on their homeschooling journey, so I’m thrilled to have my friend Jillian from Olives Plants & Cornerstones guest posting for me today!
Today I want to talk about leaving a godly heritage for our children. A heritage that would be passed on from generation to generation. It is the only inheritance with lasting value. The Bible is filled with examples of how just one mom and dad can leave a lasting legacy and heritage. Just look at the genealogy of Adam, Noah and David all in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In more modern times we can look at one of my favorite examples of a godly legacy, Jonathan and Sarah Edwards. Jonathan Edwards was best known for his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” He was a key figure during the Great Awakening. They each came from three generations of a godly heritage before they were married. God blessed them with 11 children. They had such a godly home, that when George Whitfield met them, he even changed his mind about not wanting children and decided that he too, wanted to raise children for God! Jonathan and Sarah Edwards passed on their godly heritage for another 5 generations!
When I look at these examples, it motivates me and makes my vision clearer. It shouldn’t be that we look back and say, “Wow! God really used that family.” No! He is waiting to do that good work in your life and the lives of your children too! But we must have a vision.
My husband and I had many strongholds that needed tearing down when we came to the Lord. As we’ve walked with God we’ve had to change so much of our belief system so it could be in alignment with God’s. It is a process that continues today! One of the biggest shifts we’ve had to make was homeschooling our children. We felt God calling us to homeschool when my oldest was about to enter kindergarten. Seven years later it continues to be a way of life for us.
But it doesn’t just stop at homeschooling. That alone won’t leave a lasting heritage. Homeschooling for the Christian family is not the end, but a means to the end. You need to purpose to live your life in such a way that although you may never meet all of your grandchildren, they would know that you walked the narrow path and fought the good fight, contending for the faith.
What is your vision? Do you have a vision? Are you just chugging along hoping that everything works out? Too often we read a great blog post – one that convicts and encourages us at the same time – and we walk away hoping to do better, work harder or love more. But then the cares and obligations of this life distract us and we fall back into what’s easy. We skip a devotion here and there or excuse and overlook a poor attitude. Soon the fire that was lit underneath us starts to dim and before long it’s out completely.
Don’t let the enemy snatch your vision away before it has time to bear good fruit. Don’t let him fool you into believing that homeschooling is enough. It’s not! It’s a start, but we need to be diligent and on alert for the things that may distract or pull us away. We may have to change our priorities and be sensitive to the Spirit when He tries to draw us back from our busy lives. Our purpose is to train the next generation of soldiers for Christ. Period!
In our family, our vision is that our sons would be like mature plants and our daughters like cornerstones. That they will be able to stand firm in their faith and impart the heritage we’ve given them to their own children one day. That they will be righteous and bold as a lion, knowing and serving God! Be vigilant and do not grow weary. God is able and willing to bless your efforts a hundredfold. He is waiting to give us more than we can ask for. But we must have a vision!
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18
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Jillian is a homeschooling mom to 8 children. She lives in New York where she is happily married to her other half. You can find her blogging at Olive Plants & Cornerstones about the things closest to her heart; faith, family and home. Don’t let her down-to-earth and easy going personality fool you, she is one tough cookie when it comes to living out her faith. Her desire is to challenge herself and other moms to walk the road less traveled and do the hard things. She would love to connect with you on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest!
Meghan Carver says
Hi Jillian! Neat to see you here! I love words like vision or intentional. We must live life on purpose if we are to make a difference in our families. Great post!
Keri Tidwell says
Great post, Jillian. I think being intentional in how we raise our kids is key. Like you said, homeschooling is not the answer. It’s a means to our ends, but not our ends. Every January my husband and I sit down and write out our goals for the family this year. We have a family mission statement framed and sitting in our living area that we look to. How are we measuring up to our vision? In what areas can we improve? How can we do that?
We have the same goals for our children as you, and it does require vigilance and diligence and especially God’s strength.
Thanks for sharing your heart.
Keri @ Growing in His Glory
Tati says
Jillian, what a surprise! You are so on point when you caution about being alert for the distractions. That is key because before you know it they’ll have you doing an about face. Taking our eyes off our Heavenly Father and giving Him our backs instead.
Lara says
Thanks for an encouraging post!