Legacy
- When you live a life of lukewarmness you cannot leave a legacy of integrity.
- You cannot pass on what you do not have.
- You teach what you know but impart what you are.
Now, it is no secret to those that have listened to my heart, I eat/sleep and breath how my actions impact those around me specifically the 4 lives I am accountable. Up until today I was under the misguided idea that I had to accomplish something tangible with my hands in order to be a worthwhile member of God's kingdom. Well, that and teach my children about the true meaning of our time on this earth. Acts of service is definitely one of my stronger love languages so in that way I make a small difference. But there is nothing a person can hold or touch to show helping others. Words can be vague, exaggerated or made a mockery of so one cannot trust that feedback alone. Although, no feedback is just an painful too.
Nearly weekly a family member or friend does something to add to my immediate circle and I can never be grateful enough. This in turn causes me to payback if you will by doing as much of the same for anyone within my reach. I feel even more than blessed. In this I am certainly teaching a lesson to those younger hands around me. I wish I could see me through their eyes for a small moment. To have a Scrooge kind of look at my not so distant past and present could enlighten. I want nothing more than to leave a legacy of integrity. Funny, my Pastor preached a message about just this today. It hit home since I have been mulling over who I am and who I am striving to be. My 2020 plan if you will, as in my goal in the moving forward bigger and better plan.
I don't have to find a cure for cancer, or win a noble peace prize. I don't need to create the next big "thing". I just have to be who I am called to be, motivating all I know and giving God the glory while adding to his kingdom in eternal life. In this I leave my legacy. In this I am the great Grandma who never gave up, who was steadfast and true. Who showed my lineage what it means to honor God and be all one is called to be. I do not need all the answers. I need instead to be the turtle on the fence post. As in I didn't get there by myself and am a banner of who made me. That is a sign of ultimate faith in God. I can take care of others never worrying about me because he won't leave me lacking. Challenges will come about but resting in his word is all I need. I really think this is the first time in my adult life when I really grasped that. The first time that reading the bible with my kids felt like I was holding a million dollar book.
When I taught writing to a school of K-5 students it was the days I brainstormed with students that I inspired them most. The days when I wasn't feeling the best, or mentally tired God filled me instead with his words. My mouth spewed creativity and combinations of vocabulary that flourished in the children's minds. They would gladly take off on their own worlds giving me the indirect reward any educator wishes. Now I HATED that job. I hated feeling less than a teacher because I was "just a specials teacher". I hated the lack of respect fellow teachers would offer me, I was only in my 2nd year of teaching but in my head much longer. In God's plan I flourished non the less and it was far from all for not. A few years as a classroom teacher shown me the difference and difficulty in having a young family and a classroom family to carry with me 24/7. All along he knew what I needed to be what I needed. Isn't it amazing how we doubt so much until later when we see what he sees. God is just that good.
Praise God for clarity and understanding. I hope you maintain this sense of peace about your purpose and legacy in the coming days, months, and years. Remember that you touch more than 7 lives, though those 7 are the ones you shape the most.
ReplyDeleteContinued peace and blessings to you!