Are you building a legacy? The first step to building a legacy is to forgive those who have hurt you in the past. My grandfather did not give my dad the love, time, encouragement, and discipline that my father gave me. My father did the opposite, and yet he chose to become a great dad to his children. He forgave my grandfather and started his own legacy. I will strive to continue my Dad’s legacy and make it thrive in my family.

Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.”

Do you honor your parents? Ephesians 6:1-3 teaches us to honor our father and mother. When I first read this scripture, I realized I was not fulfilling this scriptural charge. I became conscious of my behavior and how it impacted the people around me. At age 37 I gave my life to Christ and asked for my parents’ forgiveness. I honored them by breaking the chain in our relationship, which led to deeper life discussions and a better relationship.

Ephesians 6:1-3 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on the earth.”

Anger and frustration are shaky ground on which to build a foundation.  Even though my father did not have a good example in his dad, he did not bring about anger and frustration in his children. In my journey with my sons, I could not have stopped bringing them to anger unless I honored my dad first. Since it’s hard to teach something you don’t already possess, I had to learn to be a good son before I could teach Trey and Trent to be good sons.

Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the lord.”