There’s not much in this old world that truly endures, yet for those of us that have believing parents who taught us from a young age to love God, it is something that never leaves you. No matter what faith is in your background, I’m pretty sure a day does not go by that you do not remember what you’ve been taught. I know it’s true for me. I am thankful my parents have always been such great examples.

What Aspects of your Parents’ Faith are You Thankful For?

We all lose our parents but we don’t lose what they’ve taught us. It’s something we hold on to. It’s something we try to give to our children and our grandchildren. I can only hope that someday I will be half as good an example as my parents have been.

Go to Church

From my very first years of life, my parents took me to church and taught me to worship God with like-minded believers. Our church had no Sunday school, so I sat between my parents and learned to listen, to be still and to sing God’s praises along with all the adults. I raised my kids to do the same. I believe it made us a much closer family. I knew someday my kids would have to make so many choices of their own; I wanted them to have a firm foundation in their ethics and beliefs. Someday I will be gone and I hope the faith of my father, my mother, my grandparents will live on in my own children and their children.

Be Kind and Giving

My parents are and have always been giving people. My mama was always “adopting” an older lady in the neighborhood. If someone was sick that we knew, she’d cook meals to take over to help them out. Daddy was a barber and I can’t number the times he went to people’s homes and gave someone who was sick a haircut. After standing on his feet for nine hours cutting hair, he’d go to nursing homes and hospitals to cut someone’s hair.

Be Honest

I was taught that one of the worst things you could possibly be was a liar. The next worse thing — a thief. If someone gave my parents too much change, they gave it back. They didn’t cheat on their taxes and thought carefully before answering a question.

Read Your Bible

I know not all of my readers are Christians. I’m sure whatever Holy Book or literature that is at the center of your faith is just as important to you as the Bible is to a Christian. My parents are in their 80s and still bring out their Bibles each day and read. They pray over meals. They pray over the family, the church and our nation with its leaders.

Money is Temporary — God and People — Eternal

My parents have always chosen people over money. They are extremely frugal and also extremely giving. God has blessed them for that. They are very thankful for all the blessings they have — home and money included. They’ve always told me, “You can’t take it with you.” So many times they’ve given to me and the kids when it was needed. They’ve always been proud to help and joyful givers.

Holding Fast

It’s getting harder and harder for my parents to make it to services. Their congregation is 40 minutes away and a few years ago they were in a serious accident. They don’t always have the stamina to make it to church but when they do — they go. It won’t be long before I will have to take them. I’ll be proud to do so.

What lasting legacies have your parents given you? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the faith of your own parents.

(This article has been reviewed In June, 2024 since it originally published April, 2017.)