Fall is here. The leaves around my home and office have started to change. And while that’s beautiful, it brings to mind one thing: Christmas is right around the corner!

One of the primary ways I communicate love, my main love language, so to speak, is giving gifts. I am a giver. That’s just how I express love best. So, naturally, I want to give good things to my kids.

And it’s always a struggle to figure out what to give each of them. With six kids, we can’t afford to buy extravagant, expensive things. But that’s not necessarily the point, anyway.

My goal is to get them things that are meaningful and enjoyable, regardless of the price.

But this week, as I was reading through the book of Ephesians, a light bulb went off. The best thing I can give to my kids isn’t a thing. The best gift I can give to my kids is faith.

Building my relationship with Christ, becoming what he wants me to become, is the best thing I can do. It doesn’t matter if I’m talking about my kids, my wife, or my best friends. My example of faith leaves a legacy beyond what any material gift will ever leave.

Listen to this verse from the pen of Paul, to the Ephesian church. He writes this passage to both children and to fathers, but pay close attention to the last sentence, the instruction to you and me, as dads.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” — which is the first commandment with a promise — “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

That says it pretty well, doesn’t it?

The best gift, the best legacy, that you can give to your children is to bring them up in the Lord.

The best gift you can give your kids is faith.

Be deliberate, Dad!

What things do you do to foster the spiritual growth of your family? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.