The Beginning of a Legacy

So, my oldest son, Karston, who will be 9 in October surprised me in a very pleasant manner the other morning. As we were going through our morning routine of his medication and all the things he must endure each morning, he looked at me and said: "I hope I have kids one day, I can't wait to be a dad" I immediately knew this could be a meaningful conversation. I asked him why he looked forward to having kids and his response was "to be able to build good memories for them" I must admit, it really felt good to hear him say that because it let me know that he was saying that from experience and he feels like I help build good memories for him. (camping, s'mores in the backyard, white water rafting, throwing the ball, bike rides to tastee freez, trips to the city, feeding homeless niagara falls etc.)

My son, Captain K man is in good company desiring to be a father. We all know that Abraham wanted children and waited many years to see his promise come to fruition. I like that Karston's answer "to be able to build good memories for them" was outward and future focused. It wasn't because it would be fun, or he would have someone to play with...it was to leave a lasting impression. Abraham understood something of the legacy he was to leave when, in verse 3 of Genesis 15, he states: "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit [c] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" He understood that all he stood for and his impact on the world was all for naught if there was no one to continue the legacy.

I'm very proud of Karston for having a vision for the future and desire to instill in him, Josiah and Alyssa the importance of raising a Godly generation.

Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."

Sound like a legacy in the making to me. What will your legacy look like?

There's just something about......God

So...it's funny what happens when you are conscientous about letting God lead your life. We had been attending a great church for a couple years but began feeling like God was leading us to a smaller more missional minded church. So, after a lot of conversation and praying, we made the move to Fusion Church in Lake Zurich, Illinois.

Immediately (quite literally) we were asked if we could help a family in the community. We were at church on Sunday and Monday at the zoo when we received a call asking us if we could help. Funny thing is, at the beginning of the year we made a conscious effort in our budget to set aside more money with which to be a blessing. This family needed some diapers...then a gas card to get to Love Inc., on organization that helps people with clothing etc. All of these things we were doing, were actually a little bit of a strain on our finances as it was a tight month for us, but we really believed this was a situation that had been placed in our paths by God. We also knew there was this crazy Christian cliche that you can't "outgive God". So, we continued to help out after reviewing each situation to be sure it was a legitimate need.

Then....my 1986 Nissan Sentra finally rusted apart. That's right, the engine still runs well but the axle and brake line rusted through. So, I went to bed on a Saturday night and had a conversation with God. Something like this..."God, there's no need for me to go into debt that I can't afford for a car....you can provide." Well, it turns out that on Sunday morning, I was telling our pastor about our car situation when he says "Do you need a car, we have someone that's giving one away"

Isn't that just like God. So, we've upgraded the model of our car by 10 years and it's much bigger so that our whole family can now fit into either of our cars if one is unavailable. God's pretty good huh. And it's always interesting that God rewards our obedience and sacrificial giving in ways that are beyond our expectations.

Legacy Plan

So... I learned something from the cup I was drinking out of Sunday at Chipotle. It says, "Wes Jackson is fond of saying that if your life's work can be accomplished in your lifetime, you're not thinking big enough."

That sounds a lot like what I've been coming to understand about fatherhood. My job as a father and husband is to intentionally be the father and husband that God has called me to be. To bring out the best in my wife and kids and to set an examle for my kids regarding how they should act as husbands and expect to be treated as a young lady.

I recently finished year one of "Men's Fraternity: The Quest for Authentic Manhood" and we were encouraged to create a Manhood Plan based upon the different lessons we experienced during our 24 weeks.

This is mine:

Being the Husband, Father, Leader and Grandfather I'm indended to be

-Each day on the way home from work, I will seek God and allow Him to prepare me to be intentionsl in my discipline, unselfish with my time and a servant to Charis.

-I will date Charis within one week of each paycheck ensuring that we date twice a month.

-Will plan an annual time away with just me and Charis-at least one weekend

-Once a month, at least be the 25th, I will find a tangible way to display affection and affirmation to Charis (flowers, card, note, etc)

-I will begin praying one on one with Charis nightly

-During the week I will actively look for and record things about my children that make me proud or that they are good at and share those things with them one on one at our monthly date.

-I want to facilitate Karston, Josiah and Alyssa encountering and falling in love with God. I will strive to live this daily but will also keep a laser focus on our two rules: Loving God and Loving People with the goal of making this a legacy and mission to be passed on to all future Goodson generations.

-I will plan at least one FUN family outing each month in order to play together and build lasting memories.

-I will continue to date Alyssa thru High School and her early adulthood until she is married. In doing this I will rely on God's grace to instill in her that she is a Princess who's very confidence and femininity will demand nothing less than respect and honr from the men in her life.

-I will continue my Bible study routine and wil lcontinue to fast on Mondays to pray for my family and whatever issues are presenting themselves at that time.

-I will actively seek a vibrant community of Godly men who hold me accountable and with whom I have a relationship that extends beyond a weekly "surface" encounter.

-I desire to reach financial freedom for my family in order to pursue God's callings withoug encumberance. To this end I will continue seeking God for his will with our money, finding ways to free more money to reduce debt sooner.

-I will begin a journal of sound financial principles that I desire to teach my children in order that they be armed with the tools essential to avoid financial pitfalls early in life.

-I will continue striving to maintain healthy diet and proper exercise in order to maintain my health and longevity allowing me to serve my family into my great grandchildren's generation.

I desire to use these tools to become an old man that is happy, content and in love. I look forward to the day that I can spend time with my children and their children and be blessed by their Godliness. To have my face and smile and love bring light to all those around me. To live long enough to experience a legacy of service to the Lord lived out in future generations. To have the privilege of my children and grandchildren seeking me out to speak blessing over their life. And to end each day in prayer with Charis and lying in bed discussing the many blessings God has bestowed on and through our family.

So, I know this seems methodical and sterile, but this gives me actionable steps towards becoming the man I'm called to be. What's your plan?

Any comments?

Still Gotta Do It

So, I have been running, I ran a mile every day for the first two weeks. Have been able to get to a place where I can actually haul my fat butt around the neighborhood for a mile and not die at the end. Pretty soon I will start timeing myself and working on getting my time down before progressing to a mile and a half. I have been a little undisciplined in my diet this week and ran a little less (cold, stomach ache,...all the good excuses). But...I did lose 5 lbs. and that is good news. Who knows, maybe I'll be healthy enough to have the privilege of seeing generations of Goodson legacy. Next blog, I'll share with you my "Manhood Plan" from my Quest For Authentic Manhood. It's important to have a plan to create a legacy and a plan to stay around long enough to see it through completion.