A Fathers Prayer
I wonder sometimes what I have 'gathered' for my children over the course of this life?
I was thinking about this yesterday when I saw a note from my sister that her father-in-law was selling his life-long record collection – a life spanning, so far, 90+ years. Something like a couple thousand records. And this guy has a range of musical taste that makes a former audiophile like myself want to show up at his door with a set of headphones and listen to everything.
Me, on the other hand, just about everything interesting or somewhat valuable that I've happened upon has been given away or sold to make a mortgage payment. I've never really held things too tightly.
The people of Israel had gathered materials to build a temple for God. David looked at them, and their generosity, and was overwhelmed. He stood before the people and lifted his voice in a beautiful prayer which is recorded in 1 Chronicles 29:10-19.
He knew the task was larger than himself and suspected it would need to be completed by another, his son Solomon, and so he prayed:
“And give my son Solomon an uncluttered and focused heart so that he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel, and carry through with building The Temple for which I have provided.” (19)
David left his son a pile of building materials and the legacy of 'man after God's own heart."
Maybe I can't provide the former, but the later is still within reach. It's up to me (and you) to cultivate a heart for God, pray that it shows and it's real. Instead of stuff, maybe it is the example of a life full of generosity, humor, integrity, trustworthy friendship, unfailing love, acceptance and forgiveness. Maybe they will remember listening to me talk about Jesus, reverently and personally instead of historically or philosophically.
I guess, like Solomon's dad, I'll just pray that God will give them an uncluttered and focused heart so that they can obey His commands and live by His directions and counsel – and follow through with the things He gives them to do.
Besides, I got rid of my record collection years ago.
Sincerely,
Ed
