USGN Article - June 2002
Terry & Barbi Franklin
Written by Barbi Franklin

"A Lasting Legacy"
 

I remember reading “Leadership Magazine” a couple years ago and coming across an incredible article by Chuck Swindoll. He was vulnerably sharing with the readers about his relationship with his youngest son. I was captivated by his honesty.

He described his failure at spending the kind of time he realized his son had needed from him at the most successful and busiest time of his ministry. As he shared, I was deeply moved and inspired by this man’s candid, humble, and repentant heart. He shared a restoring word of encouragement to all of us… that we’re never too old to say we’re sorry!

Apparently, the years of hurt have now been healed and the relationship restored. As he shared his heart, he gave an exhortation for us to recognize that no matter what our ministry may accomplish, nothing is of greater importance than our ministry to our own children. He stated a simple yet profound revelation… that our kids are our greatest and most lasting living legacy. This is why we have named our newest CD “Legacy”.

As I was growing up, my own very godly parents shared with me the prayers they prayed, even from the time we were in the womb, that we would not only be saved, but that some day we would have an impact on the whole world for Jesus Christ. Did that inspire me with a destiny to live out? Absolutely! And I’m trying to speak the same blessings to our own two boys!

Every night as I take a tender moment to pray a prayer with Tyler and Travis, I will often pray after they are done with their own requests. I verbalize what I believe God has promised to all those who will love Him and follow His ways. I say, “Thank you, Lord, that you are creating a man of God who will grow up with a destiny, a purpose, and a plan that is GOOD. And even now, you are teaching and counseling Tyler/Travis by your Holy Spirit, as you have promised, to be all that you have called him to be to do great and mighty things for your Kingdom.”

Though it’s important that our boys feel like Terry & I believe in them, it’s critical for them to understand what GOD has promised them if they will simply love Him and follow His ways. As we invest our lives in and live out a godly example to our kids (by HIS power), they WILL become “OUR LIVING LEGACY”! (see Deuteronomy 5:29-33 & 6:5-9)

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