I had searched everywhere for a Ninja Turtle! Everytime I would be in a store I would look to see if they had one. However, with the resurgence of Batman, Indiana Jones, and the Incredible Hulk there were no mutant turtles trained in the art of ninja by their rat master who mimmicked their owners movements to be found anywhere. Finally, while on vacation we went to Toys ‘R Us and found not only a Ninja Turtle, but, Michelangelo who just happens to be my Judah’s favorite one.

My son is 20 months old and isn’t really into playing with action figures yet but I didn’t care. I wanted him to have it because I really enjoyed playing with them as a kid and although he was less than impressed with it now, my hopes are that one day he’ll stop trying to eat the nunchucks and fight off Shredder and his Foot Soldiers instead.

It got me thinking. I believe there is a part of every man that wants to pass things on to their children. I remember playing with my dads old toys, studying moves out of his old wrestling book (now there’s a way to learn sports!), and feeling a sense of pride when I started a summer job working at the paper mill my dad has worked at for over 20 years. Sure, I would love it if my kids became a Ninja Turtle loving, guitar shredding, grapplers. But, at the end of the day if I had to just choose one thing to pass on, it would be a love for the Lord and His blessing on their lives. And if I put in half of the effort to teach them that as I did to find Michelangelo I have passed on everything they need to be successful in life.

What about you? Do you spend as much time teaching and demonstrating Godliness to your kids as you do how to slide into third with their cleats perfectly aimed for shin aniliation or how to dig their chin into the back of an opponent while the ref is on the other side of the mat? Every dad will pass something on to their children whether they realize it or not. My prayer is that men will realize this and make sure they pass on a Christian heritage.