In my short time on
Twitter, I've seen a different side to social media. Just like with Facebook, there's a very fine edge that you've got to make sure you're aware of. Investing yourself too much can happen too easily. But, that is not the point of this post. This post is dedicated to talking about what I've seen in the lives of many of the rappers I follow.
Some of them I've appreciated for a long time. Some of them I've only started following because other rappers I follow follow them. Re-read that if you have to get it...hahaha. I had to type it really slow after thinking it through twice and thrice. The thing about these rappers is that they've shared an aspect of their lives that I hadn't really thought about.
They have children.
Royce the 5' 9",
Sean Mandela,
Dres,
Illus,
Playdough,
Manchild, Eminem, (
I don't follow any of the next rappers, but they have kids) Nelly, TI, The Game, and many others that I can't recall. I've seen some of them tweet/talk about their kids. I've read about how they love their kids. I've read about how they're gonna discipline their kids, and what shows their kids love, and how much they enjoy parenthood even though it's a challenge.
Why do I bring up rappers and their kids? Because, they know what its like to have children. They know what its like to love their kids and to sacrifice for them and to have to discipline them. They want good things for their kids. They want to give their kids good things and teach them good things.
They want to leave their kids a legacy.
So what? They're probably all well off and capable of ensuring their children are provided for, right? Well, that has very little to do with actually leaving their children a legacy. Some of them (SEE: Just About All Of Them) make music with lyrics that talk about drugs, or violence, or sex with whores. Some of their music, while displaying their gift, speaks in unedifying ways about life and the things we do. Granted, some of those things are just a part of many of our lives in this sinful world, but glorifying it is no legacy that any parent that truly loves their children wants.
We want our children to be able to follow our example. We want to be unashamed to tell our children that we walked in goodness and in love. While I know, for the most part, that most of their lyrics are just to showcase their talents, to a listener who has no context, they are ridiculous, violent, destructive, venomous songs.
Royce the 5' 9" is a recovered/recovering alcoholic. He did it for many reasons, but he sees how much it means to be sober and straight for his children. He can see clearly how much more meaningful life is and how he can enjoy his family all the more without constantly being clouded. He can more clearly see what it means to be a man of example for his children to follow.
With that said, what is your legacy? Are you leaving a legacy that you won't be ashamed of for your children? Are you living a life that is filled with goodness, grace, mercy, truth, strength, justice, and love? If you're not, and you're still reading, only Christ can help you have a legacy that can change you and your family, and community, for generations. A life and legacy for Christ is one that we can all be unashamed of. It's not easy, because as much as I want to and am trying, I fail. But, God is good and forgives me, and my children see that and see my walk. They know that I love them and strive to be a strong man for them and for God.
Make sure your legacy is more than stale morals and money. Give your kids more than you could ever afford.
