An Enduring Legacy
Parenting advice propagates through generations.
A powerful effect worth noting — a parent’s advice to their children propagates through generations.
Ever since becoming a father, I find myself giving my mother’s advice to my two children. Even advice I dismissed as a teenager I now find myself agreeing with and repeating. And if the cycle repeats, I believe that my children will repeat this advice to their children.
My brother and I celebrated our mom’s 75th birthday last evening with her close-knit circle of family and friends. Her advice, given to me for as long as I can remember, is imprinted on me. I’ve highlighted some of it below, because you may relate to it.
1. Prioritize your learning and education. You may lose all your material possessions, but no one can take away your knowledge, wisdom, or lived experiences.
2. Never let anyone go hungry. Hunger is one of the worst feelings to have, and it doesn’t take much to feed someone.
3. Always be extra generous with your hospitality, especially when you welcome people into your home.
4. Help those who are not as fortunate as you are.
5. Don’t waste money. Never waste food.
6. Have a strong faith and believe in the power of the Lord. The power of prayer will sustain you through the biggest storms.
7. Give and you shall receive. You may not receive from the person you gave to, but you will eventually receive what you need from others.
8. You will learn a lot just by talking to people and asking questions.
A parent’s advice will find its way into the hearts and minds of their children, and generations beyond, even if it doesn’t seem so in the moment.
