One of the things I asked myself as I looked forward to the new year of 2007 was: Will my life, my actions, my words; help improve, change positively or leave a positive legacy for my children?  As parents our number one life obligation is to raise our children well.  One of our objectives as we are forced to reflect and set objectives for the New Year is how our actions will affect our most valued gifts.

Last week, I took a couple verses from the little Old Testament book of Haggai to look at the balance between future goal setting and contentment.  Today, there is another gem from Haggai, written over 2500 years ago that challenges me as I look at my life while raising children.  The Lord speaking through His prophet Haggai, challenges the priests: “If one of you is carrying a holy sacrifice in his robes and happens to brush against some bread or stew, wine or oil, or any other kind of food, will it also become holy?”

“The priests replied, “No.”

“Then Haggai asked, “But if someone becomes ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person and then brushes against any of the things mentioned, will it become defiled?”

“And the priests answered, “Yes.”

OK, what about me as a parent?  I sometimes think that my good actions will somehow rub off on my children and make them good.  Will that instinctively happen?  No!  Oh, that’s kind of tough!  I know – and I’m sure you do as well – of good parents who have troubled children.  If my good actions don’t automatically develop good children, why do I try to be good?  Well, because we read the other side of the picture.  My bad actions will definitely corrupt my children.  That may seem unfair, but it’s a fact that we live with.  Good, doesn’t necessarily create good, but bad tends to corrupt the good.  A common saying is, “One bad apple will spoil a whole basket.  One good apple will never make a basket of spoiled apples turn good.”

So how does this affect our lives as parents?  We know our children, as they grow, will make their own decisions, but we need to remember what they watch, read or listen to, who they are friends with, who are their role models.  What is my personal life yelling to them?  Do I say one thing, have rules for my children – and yet live another way myself?

Let’s set good, personal objectives for 2007.

None of us are perfect as individuals – nor are our marriages perfect.  As we work together to maintain our love and a strong marriage, our homes will be a good environment for growing and happy children.