As Lent ends, let us think ahead to “Easter and then to our legacy. We who know Jesus are part of the Cloud of Witnesses who proclaim Him the Son of God, our High Priest, Our Savior, and King of Kings. Now, let us leave the story as our legacy to future generations. We cannot leave our faith to them; they must commit belief on their own. But we can live by example, by word, by sending Scriptures, by supporting Christian causes, and by encouraging them to lead lives leading to sanctification. That is both our duty and our privilege. Happy Easter.
MY PSALM 343 LEGACY
Everlasting Father, Eternal and Omnipotent,
Hear our prayer for our children.
You promised to be our God
If we would be Your covenant people.
You told us to write Your words on the doorposts
Of our homes, and on our hearts.
You taught us to speak of them to our children,
When we rose up, when we went upon our way,
When we made our beds in various places,
Your truth on our tongues and in our lives.
Father, we ask forgiveness
For the times busyness has taken over our lives.
We have turned from Your ways
And followed our guidance rather than Yours.
We have mixed up our priorities
And trusted in our wisdom,
Seeking Yours when things go awry
Or we see our shortcomings.
This day we pray for our children,
The legacy You have provided through Your mercy,
The next generation who will take up Your cause
And live for Your kingdom’s sake
On earth as it is in heaven.
Find us faithful in petition for their souls,
For You gave our children to us
For such a short time
But for eternity for You.
In the twinkling of an eye
They too have become parents,
Teaching their little ones to love You,
To feast on Your Word,
To dwell in the walls of our tabernacles
And be surrounded by Your clouds of witnesses
As we have been.
Help us to be constant in prayer for their tasks
To buttress their efforts,
To walk humbly before You
In the wisdom of years,
Knowing the awesome task set before them.
Use us in preparing the generations
To march on to victory,
Ever proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ
To an ever-changing world.
Teach us so we can teach them
To rely only upon Your grace
To speak of You often
Instilling Your precepts
And marking the narrow road
Which leads to Your throne,
For You are the answer to life’s questions
And the eternal Truth which provides
The peace that passes all understanding.
You have told us our grandchildren
Are the crowns of our grey hairs,
And we dedicate them to Your care
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
A career teacher, with forty years of teaching language arts/English, Betty Jackson enjoys wordsmithing, writing, and reading as a vocation and avocation.Retirement is her "age of frosting," a chance to pursue postponed hobbies with gusto. She especially sends kudos to the Space Coast Writers Guild members for their encouragement and advice. Her five books, It's a God Thing!, Job Loss: What's Next? A Step by Step Action Plan, and Bless You Bouquets: A Memoir, And God Chose Joseph: A Christmas Story, and Rocking Chair Porch: Summers at Grandma's are available at Amazon.com. Ms. Jackson is available to speak to local groups and to offer her books at discount for fundraising purposes at her discretion. She and her husband soon celebrate their 47th anniversary, and have lived in New York, New Jersey, Iowa, and now the paradise of Palm Bay, Florida. Their two grown children and daughter-in-love, all orchestra musicians, and our beautiful granddaughters Kaley and Emily live nearby. Hobbies, and probably future topics on her blog: gardening, symphonic music (especially supporting the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra as a volunteer and proud parent of a violinist, a cellist, and an oboist), singing, book clubs, and co-teaching a weekly small-group Bible study for seniors. She volunteers and substitute teaches at Covenant Christian School, and serves as a board member of the Best Yet Set senior group at church. Foundationally, she daily enjoys God's divine appointments called Godincidences, which show God's providence and loving kindness.