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Key Bible Verse: Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine (Psalm 16:5). Bonus Reading:Psalm 16:1–11

When we've unknowingly planted the seeds of our weaknesses into our children and these weaknesses found fertile soil in their sinful natures, it's easy to panic or beat ourselves up for all our mistakes. But don't. Imperfect dads are the only kind here on earth, and we can't help raising imperfect kids. It would be great if our kids were a marvelous combination of all our strengths, but, alas, they're going to be just as attracted to the lesser things of life as we are. In fact, it takes much less effort to instill bad values and morals than good ones, because their natures are just as magnetically drawn toward sin as ours are.

But it's not an impossible task so long as we realize that we simply can't help our kids develop something in their lives that's missing from our own. When we begin to think, speak, and act differently, we'll sow different seeds into our children's hearts.

I have a loving wife, a comfortable home, three healthy, happy kids, great friendships, and a job I love. I'm old and wise enough to know no amount of money can improve on that. If I can learn to be truly grateful, there's hope for my kids.

—Dan Schaeffer in Why I Wear a Plastic Dinosaur

My Response: I'll do an inventory based on the things I have that money can't buy.

Thought to Apply: If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

—Source unknown

Adapted from Why I Wear a Plastic Dinosaur (Christian Publications, 2002) by permission.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

O Lord, work in my life so that I live by the values of Your kingdom rather than my society's consumer mentality.

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