After
that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the Lord to anger because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.  In his anger against Israel the Lord handed them over to raiders who plundered them. He sold them to their enemies all around, whom they
were no longer able to resist.  Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the Lord was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress. – Judges 2:10-15 (NIV)

I want to leave a legacy to my girls beyond a bank account and a home full of things.  I want to pass on more than
information and religious platitudes.  I want to leave my children a hope for heaven, a desire for holiness and a penchant for faithfulness.

Joshua left a legacy of faithfulness and obedience toward God.  His generation had seen the handiwork of God and realized His promises.  Unfortunately the following generations lost sight of God even while living in the light of
His blessings.  This put them in the Promised Land without promise.

There is a way to leave a legacy that lasts and that is if the legacy is rooted in God.  Israel began their history with
God, but slowly God disappeared from their story.  He was something that happened in the past, but not someone they had in their present and placed their hope in for the future.  This is the cautionary tale of a chosen people who made bad choices.

If I don’t want my girls to forget who they belong to, I need to live a life that reminds them who I belong too.  I need to
show the love of God for them to grow in the love of God.   Our children need to see God in action before they allow God act on them.

Lord, help me be a legacy builder.  Help me to live a life that is worthy to emulate. rant me your favor and providence to build a legacy for my children.
Amen.