The following article appeared in the August 12 edition of The Clinton Chronicle.
"Remember who you belong to!"
Ma-Ma often left me with this challenge when I
was a teenager and left the house to go out with my friends. As I walked
out the kitchen door, her exhortation followed me.
Those few words summarized a whole lot. I knew
then and now that Ma-Ma was saying . . .
- You
belong to the Lord. You are a representative of Jesus Christ to the
world, so live like it.
- You
belong to our family. You represent the Wilson and Hendrix
families.
- Make decisions that honor the Lord and your parents. Don't be a fool!
In essence, my mother wanted me to display good
character. Ma-Ma’s words stayed with me
even into my adulthood. Growing up, I
wanted to be a man who honored those to whom I belonged.
Every good mom and dad wants their children to grow
up to become adults with good character. We want them to shine like
stars, as we often say to our children today.
As a father of three children, I want their
character to outlast me.
As a young married couple, Bill and Gloria Gaither
wanted to purchase some property in their hometown of Alexandria,
Indiana. Having been told that the man who owned the specific land they
desired would not sell, Bill decided to go see him face-to-face. After discussing
the land, the owner realized that he once knew Bill's grandfather. The
man told Bill that he would sell him the land because of the character of
Bill's deceased grandfather. The man's character outlived him. His
character was his legacy.
I have a few short years to influence my children
when we live together in the same house. However, I can influence them
for decades to come through my prayers.
The Scriptures provide several lists of noble
character traits. Several years ago I took some of these lists and
divided them up into specific prayers for each day of the month. There
are twenty-nine traits here, one to pray daily. On months with thirty or
thirty-one days, there is grace in case I missed a day or two.
Why not begin praying these simple words for your
family? The legacy made by their impact just may outlast you.
1. Above
reproach (a good reputation)
2. A
one-woman man (faithful to his wife / to her husband)
3. Self-control
(exemplifies balance in words and action)
4. Prudent
(being wise and humble)
5. Respectable
(serves as a good role model)
6. Hospitable
(unselfish and generous)
7. Able
to teach (communicates God’s truth)
8. Not
given to wine (not addicted to substances)
9. Not
self-willed (not self-centered)
10. Not
quick-tempered (not characterized by anger)
11.
Not abusive (not violent)
12.
Not quarrelsome (not argumentative nor divisive)
13.
Gentle (sensitive, loving, kind)
14.
Free from the love of money (not materialistic)
15.
One who manages his own house well (a good spouse and parent)
16.
A good reputation with those outside the church (a good testimony to
unbelievers)
17.
Love what is good (pursues godly activities)
18.
Just (wise, discerning, not prejudiced)
19.
Devout (holy and righteous)
20.
Not a new convert (mature in the faith)
21.
Loving
22.
Joyful
23.
Peaceful
24.
Patient
25.
Kind
26.
Merciful
27.
Good
28.
Faithful
29.
Self-controlled
The first twenty qualities are taken
from Paul’s descriptions of the character of an elder. These character
traits should mark the life of any godly, mature man or woman. The last
nine traits come from the fruit of the Holy Spirit. (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus
1:5-10; Galations 5:22-23)
