“We will pass on to our kids only what we wear, not what we profess.”

A thought by Jentezen Franklin from his book, Love Like You've Never Been Hurt: Hope, Healing and the Power of an Open Heart (p. 139). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) 

Right before this thought Jentezen says, “Think about the garments you put on every day as you go about your business. What do you wear? What kind of garment are you passing down to the next generation? Are you passing down a garment of peace or a garment of contention? A garment of prayer or a garment of bickering? A garment of needing to be right or a garment of striving toward reconciliation? A garment of forgiveness or a garment of bitterness? A garment of kindness or a garment of frustration? A garment of faith or a garment of worry? A garment of loving like you’ve never been hurt or a garment of resentment for all the pain you’ve endured?”

Good questions.  He goes on, “We will pass on to our kids only what we wear, not what we profess. I can say that Jesus is the priority in my life, but if my family never sees me wearing that priority Monday through Saturday, then it does not matter. I will not pass on what I said. I will only pass on what I wear.

“It seems the true colors and depth of our faith and character are revealed during tough times. I will go so far as to say that only during these seasons do we see clearly what garments we are wearing.

“What happens when we get the dreaded phone call, when we are holding the pen to sign the divorce papers, when the CT scan shows the cancer has spread, when the abuse happens, when injustice comes?

“Think about what you are passing down to your family, to your children and even to theirs, during these moments of crisis. Are you modeling the power of faith to your children by seeking God, or do you fall to pieces and run to any and every secular source in search of peace?

He later says, “The enemy cannot have our families. He cannot have our homes. He cannot have our children. When we wear the right garments—the garments of praise, holiness, purity and supernatural anointing—no weapon formed against us will prosper!

“God wants to restore your home. He wants to heal your broken relationships. He wants to give you peace. He wants to give you hope. He wants to restore what you have lost, what has been stolen, even what you have trashed.”

Is that what you want in your family?  It is never too late to come to God.  Would you reach out to Him today?