While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone. …
Then the Cushite arrived and said, “My lord the king, hear the good news! The lord has delivered you today from all who rose up against you.”
The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”
The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”
The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you&#;151;O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Character Check What kind of legacy am I passing on to my children?
In Business Terms During my childhood, my father served as executive director of a Christian organization. I can’t count the number of times we dropped him off or picked him up at the Peoria (Illinois) airport. My brothers and I shared in the sacrifice of my dad’s leadership role. But he never sacrificed his.
In fact, he poured as much time into shaping us and spending time with us as he did with his ministry. One way he did this was by modeling a passion outside his work. I can think of two: cars and hunting.
A few miles from my hometown, Lawrence Fogleberg directed a high school band. In fact, he was occasionally a judge when our band would go to district competitions, or he would direct local festivals. His son Dan, now a popular folk singer, wrote a beautiful tribute to his dad, the “Leader of the Band.” He sings of how, though the leader of the band may be getting tired, “his blood runs through my instrument, and his heart is in my soul.”
That’s how I feel about my dad and mom. They gave me a gift I know I never can repay. I’m a living legacy of their love and ministry. I hope my children can say the same about me.
—Steve Mathewson
Something to Think About Families are God’s primary missionary society. – Lewis Smedes
