In the many military moves our family made, one of the constant concerns was how our children would adjust to a new environment. One son made a mid-year first grade move. The other son experienced German school for three years, and then had to adjust to an American school. The transition to junior high and then to a different place for high school was especially difficult for both my boys. I worried whether they would find good friends. Would they be strong enough to say no to peer pressure or would the need to fit in cause them to exhibit negative behavior?

Our family had it easy compared to the Noah family. Their society was morally corrupt on a scale we cannot comprehend. Did you notice how many times the words corrupt and violence are used in Genesis 6:11–13? The repeated use of those words tells us the corruption was not limited to a local area, but was widespread. Scripture informs us that sin was both extensive and intensive. The depravity of man was evident in both action and thought, so much so that God was grieved that he made man. Sister, things could not get any worse.

In this corrupt setting we find Noah and his family. The words in 2 Peter 2:5 inform us that Noah was a “herald of righteousness.” He  warned people that God’s judgment was coming. No one else got on the ark with Noah and his family, so obviously people did not believe his message. Neighbors could not ignore the big ark the family was building. They were most likely ridiculed and mocked as they walked through the marketplace. In today’s world, people would know Noah’s kids as the ones with the crazy father.

Through it all, Noah and his family stood against the rising tide of cultural immorality and committed to keeping their family values anchored in what was pleasing to God. Following the course their family took in navigating the culture of their day may be very relevant for us today when we consider the words of Jesus, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man” (Luke 17:26).

What does the term “family values” mean to you? What are your most revered family values?

Logistics Specialist 1st Class Reagan Pescoso and his wife are investment experts. I have no idea how much money they have in the bank, but they invest where it counts—in their family. Asked about parenting in the military, Pescoso said, “The hardest part about being in the military is spending time away from my family.” When he is home from sea, he and his family cherish their time together. They invest time, energy, and resources in enjoying travel, playing board games, and finding interesting new places to eat together. The fulfillment and joy he finds in his family helps him cope when he is away. Twelve-year-old Lance Pescoso is proud of his dad’s Navy service. He said, “I think it’s cool he gets to go around the world helping people and supporting his country.”

Pescoso and his wife are making deposits in their family. “I hope my kids learn that their father did something big for our family by being in the military,” Pescoso said. “I hope they learn to be better people because of it. I hope they learn from me how to be strong, patient, and value the importance of time with family.”

Dare we call Noah’s family the first Navy family? As Noah prepared to embark on his voyage, he made an investment in time and resources. Genesis 6:22 says, “Noah did …” The words emphasize Noah’s obedience to God’s instructions—he did what God told him to do. Scripture is silent about the effort and investment of such an undertaking. Think of the time and energy it took to cut the trees, deliver the trees, form the trees into planks, fit the planks, and then shape the planks into the ark. The monetary investment would have been enormous to provide food for the many animals they would carry. Noah willingly made the investments, his family gathered everything they needed, and “the Lord shut [them] in” (Genesis 7:16).

God takes account of the investment you make in your family. Using God’s Word as the blueprint for building a strong family will give you the confidence to know you are making a wise investment that leads to the saving of your family.

What investments are you making in the spiritual lives of your children? How has military life made you more aware of your responsibility to make deposits into your family?

I used to be the perfect parent—until I had children.

Honestly, I am so far from perfection, yet I place before me that standard. Crazy, right? Comparing our parenting skills (or lack thereof) with the countless Facebook status updates we read from friends and acquaintances leaves us feeling inadequate. Can I tell you something you can take to the bank? There are no perfect parents and no perfect kids.

A discussion on the website militaryspouse.com highlights some of the issues military moms struggle with concerning the need to be perfect:

My kids see me worrying about the next big change.

I have a hard time being positive around the kids.

I rely on my kids too much when my husband is deployed.

I hate to cook family meals, especially during deployments.

I try to be the perfect parent, and then burn out.

Well, my perfection-seeking, never-hit-the-mark, fall-so-far-below-the-standard sister, I have good news for you! Remember the scriptural description of Noah as “righteous” and “blameless?” Remember that he was the only person in the world committed to God? Remember that he was a preacher of righteousness? Remember that God had such confidence in him that he put him in charge of the earth’s do-over? Brace yourself—Noah was not perfect. He did not always act honorably. The account of saintly obedient Noah is in Genesis 6–8, but the account of drunken shameful Noah follows in Genesis 9. 

While not perfect, our imperfection is not a license to stop trying to be a good parent. When—not if—we make mistakes we can seek help from the Lord and, when appropriate, ask forgiveness from our family. The family of God lives on a healthy diet of mercy and grace. We should always give parenting our best effort, and trust the Lord to fill the gap when we fall short.

Check any areas below in which you struggle as a military parent:

□ My kids see me worrying about the next big change.
□ I have a hard time being positive around the kids.
□ I rely on my kids too much when my husband is deployed.
□ I hate to cook family meals, especially during deployments.
□ I try to be the perfect parent, and then burn out.

Write a positive action step to address each of the statements above. Use these statements as a prayer guide.

My husband and I were invited to dinner at the home of a fellow military couple. They lived in historic military quarters—you know the kind where you wish the walls could talk? The walls did not need to talk to tell a fascinating story of family legacy. One of the first things my eyes fell upon when I entered the house was a horizontal collection of portraits of West Point cadets, which included our host. The photos displayed the family members who attended West Point for six consecutive generations dating back to 1823. The family represents one of the longest unbroken chains of West Point graduates. Obvious pride in the legacy of service has been passed down from one generation to the next.

Military families tend to pass down a legacy of service to their children. Approximately 79 percent (eight-in-ten) veterans have an immediate family member who served in the military. The Military Child Education Coalition reports that children in military families are twice as likely as their civilian counterparts to join the military as adults.

While military service is an honorable tradition to be associated with family heritage, nothing compares to the eternal legacy of passing on a steadfast faith in God. I am inspired and hopeful when I read God’s promise in Genesis 9:8 that God made a covenant with Noah and his sons. As a parent, nothing would give me greater joy than knowing my children were committed to serving the Lord.

The ark was the means God used to save Noah and his family from the judgment of God. The ark is also a metaphor for all who are safe from God’s eternal judgment through faith in the truth presented in God’s Word. Whether you come from multi-generations of believers or you are the first believer in your family, you can look to the Lord to extend his mercy to your sons and daughters.

Along with the pride that accompanies an offspring filling a parent’s military boots, we can also experience the peace that comes from knowing our children are in a right relationship with God. When we see our children serving the Lord, we know the meaning of the words of John, the disciple of Jesus, when he wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4).

What steps are you taking to pass a legacy of faith to your children? In what ways is military life strengthening your legacy of faith?