What kind of inheritance will I leave?

Tim and I are in the process of making a will. Yes, we should have done it about 26 years ago. But our coming trip to Wyoming pushed us to finally get around to it. We could care less about who gets the dishes or my grandmother's jewelry. Our only concern is who will care for our minor children should something happen to both of us, and that they have the resources necessary to do the job. For years we weren't sure how to deal with the care of our children. Who could handle a large brood? Well, we've waited long enough for the problem to be solved. Oldest son Andrew has agreed to step in and care for his younger siblings should that be necessary. (We've told him that gives him a big reason to pray for safe travels and no grizzly attacks.)


I've been reading Charles Spurgeon's Faith's Checkbook devotional this year. (It's excellent!) A couple of months ago the topic was "What to Leave Children". Here it is:

"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him" (Proverbs 20:7).

Anxiety about our family is natural, but we shall be wise if we turn it into care about our own character. If we walk before the LORD in integrity, we shall do more to bless our descendants than if we bequeathed them large estates. A father's holy life is a rich legacy for his sons.

The upright man leaves his heirs his example, and this in itself will be a mine of true wealth. How many men may trace their success in life to the example of their parents!

He leaves them also his repute. Men think better of us as the sons of a man who could be trusted, the successors of a tradesman of excellent repute, Oh, that all young men were anxious to keep up the family name!

Above all, he leaves his children his prayers and the blessing of a prayer-hearing God, and these make our offspring to be favored among the sons of men. God will save them even after we are dead. Oh, that they might be saved at once!

Our integrity may be God's means of saving our sons and daughters. If they see the truth of our religion proved by our lives, it may be that they will believe in Jesus for themselves. LORD, fulfill this word to my household!