[The Mayor]

May 12, 2006

The Legacy

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA

READ: Psalm 34:11-22

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. —3 John 1:4

Her writing career spanned three decades, from the mid-1960s through the mid-1990s. She wrote 12 books and received 16 honorary doctorate degrees. But 3 years before she died of cancer in 1996, popular humorist Erma Bombeck told an ABC TV interviewer that no matter how many columns she had written, her legacy would be her three children. “If I did a bad job with them,” she said, “then everything else [I] do isn’t very important.”

Bombeck had riches and fame and the goodwill of millions of readers, but she realized that her top priority was taking care of her children.

Although no parent can be guaranteed that his or her child will turn out to be a godly model citizen, those of us who are parents must start with Erma’s attitude. Our motivation is to provide spiritually, physically, and emotionally for our children. They will be our legacy.

That means introducing them to the Savior, providing spiritual guidance (Psalm 34:11-14), praying for them, and encouraging them to find mentors who can guide them in godly living.

Sometimes it’s a battle. Often it’s expensive in time and toil. But the value of a child overshadows it all. —Dave Branon

Our children are a gift from God
To nurture and to love;
They need our help in guiding them
To turn their thoughts above.  —Sper

Little children are of great value to God.

[luvie]

I just love your new little Java Bear!

Hope you had a wonderful week and that the weekend is even better.

Thanks for our beautiful lesson from God's Word.

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Morning Mayor! Happy Mother's Day to Mrs. Mayor!

[Texagirl4W]

Good morning, Mr. Mayor. Your little Java Bear and new cup are just precious. As usual, your lessons are great too. I hope you and your family have a good weekend.

[LadyX]

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. —3 John 1:4"

How wonderfully appropriate this is to contemplate and savor!
In the past month, it has been punctuated over and over, and indeed - -

Truly, my
!!

April brought a visit with our older son and wife, in SC on vacation. We celebrated Steve's birthday together.
Kevin and Susan call often from Florida, with news of them and their sons. They both teach teenager Sunday School classes, and Christopher and Nickolas have always attended a Christian School in West Palm Beach.

Our daughter, Jennifer, and Bill hold home group Bible studies on Tuesday nights.
Her older daughter has secured a position as a field chemist, graduating from college in December, and in 2 weeks will be moving to Memphis, her life launched..

Tuesday brought the wonder of a second great-grandchild, and this evening Kyle called us to describe with obvious awe how *complete* he and Roxanne feel with their little girl!
Her name is not Ava, I learned, my s-i-l misspelling it -
pronounced like 'Ava'- but is spelled Eva, as in Eva Peron.

They were able to bring her home yesterday, the hospital sending a special blue light for them to use for slight jaundice, which is common in newborns. We'll be going to see them in two weeks, after they're settled in.

In all three families, they are secure in following the Lord, and as the verse says, nothing brings a parent more joy than this!

It extends also to my two stepchildren, who live in the Midwest.
Cheryl is recovering from her second spinal surgery and the house she is having built will be finished soon.
Roger and his Lisa married Saturday the 6th of May. He describes her as "a lady and GODly!"

Let's see - her two children bring the total of all our grands to - -
an even dozen - and two great-grands!

There is no description adequate to express the profound joys at this end of life....
I praise and thank our loving, gracious and awesome God.