Leaving A Legacy

Yesterday morning I was in an exit meeting with the management of this bank I’m examining. About halfway through the meeting, the Chairman of the Board began to question another examiner. And he was so sure of what he knew because his family “had been in banking since 1944, had been through 10 recessions, and that his father had drilled into he and his brothers how to manage a bank during these times.” Although he is a lawyer and a retired U.S. Senator, he has always had a strong foundation in banking. His training was obviously beneficial because he and his brothers are chairmen of their own banks and hold ownership in each other’s banks. His success is definitely notable, but the most striking thing, to me, was what his father did for he and his family.

Proverbs 22:6 tells us to,

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Legacy-building…how much time and attentiveness is being dedicated to this vital task? I’m convinced that there is something major to this. And although all of the accomplishments listed above are great, I think that many people neglect to instill and build upon the most important component…which is a relationship with God. I read a very poignant quote in “Grace Will Lead Me Home” by Robin Givens:

“The greatest legacy you can leave for your children is your relationship with God.”

No, I’m not a parent…but I have awesome ones who were “all-in” with God. Parents who were imperfect, but gave Him everything they had and were constantly striving to align their words and their actions. I heard their admonishments and encouragements, but I also saw my parents heed them and encourage themselves when it got tough. Seeing them stick it out with God has let me know that I can do that, too…and I hope one day to do that for my own children.

Your relationship with God is not something that is only imparted. It is observed, emulated, and perpetuated. And this is not just for parents…its for everyone who has anyone watching them. Leaving a legacy for your children and those who look up to you is like having a stage all to yourself with a captive audience. How you “perform” will play a huge role in shaping the lives of your successors. Give it all you’ve got.