Fatherhood: Check Your Legacy

Thinking about fatherhood this morning and I'm reminded that I need to check myself and put life in perspective about the type of legacy I want to leave with my boys. Sure, they're only 5 and 22 months, but I think you always need to be thinking about how you're raising your kids, what you're teaching them, and even what they're watching you do.

This morning at our Monday Morning Bible study we were looking at 2 Chronicles 9 & 10. Basically, it's the end of Solomon's life and then his son Rehoboam takes over as king. In chapter 9 it talks about all of the gold and riches that Solomon had accumulated. We were discussing the question of "how much is enough" in today's world. But I kept thinking about what type of father was Solomon? The Bible says that he was the world's wisest man. However, when we kept reading, I'm not so sure (at least in terms of fatherhood). Basically, chapter 9 ends with Solomon dying. There's lots of talk about his money and riches, and then he's just dead and it ends with his son Rehoboam succeeding him.

In chapter 10 Rehoboam must make a big decision and he decides to consult his elders. Sounds like a good start as king right? Well, he doesn't listen to them and instead decides to follow the advice of his peers. Big mistake. Chapter 10:19 says that because of this "Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day."

Rehoboam's first decision as king and he blows it. It just made me think about fatherhood and I wondered what Solomon had taught Rehoboam, did he teach him, did he raise him correctly?

I want to make a conscious point of teaching my boys that God loves them and that He has a plan for them, a good plan. I want to teach them how to make decisions and how to consult God on those decisions. I think that is pleasing to God.