Legacy

I have often seen signs that say (or heard people verbally say): “Leave a legacy.”

But here’s the thing…You ARE leaving a legacy whether you mean to be or not.
...at least that's what I think...

From Merriam-Webster:

1leg·a·cy
Pronunciation:
\ˈle-gə-sē\
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural leg·a·cies
Etymology:
Middle English legacie office of a legate, bequest, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, office of a legate, from Medieval Latin legatia, from Latin legatus
Date:
15th century
1 : a gift by will especially of money or other personal property : bequest 2 : something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past

The term is used so often in referring to leaving something (object or philosophy) good to someone after you die. But I think you are establishing what your legacy will be over the course of your lifetime. It may be one your proud of, and it may be one you’ll regret.

Most people who know me think I am very out-going, but really I am very introverted, the type who likes to be a wallflower and just stand back and do a lot of observing. In my observing I have noticed particular families or groups of people that seem prone to things going wrong, drama, glitch after glitch in life, sickness, sadness, expecting the worst. Why is it that some people seem to have a long family history of “we will persevere”, while others follow the long-taught mantra, “life stinks”?

It has caused me to stop and think: What legacy am I leaving? 7 generations from now what will my descendants be like and what will be said that I passed down through those generations?

My Grandfather Clyde left a legacy of a strong work-ethic, unshakable faith, right priorities (God first, family next, everything else after that), using your talents, service to God and country. I will never forget those lessons he taught me and, because they have shaped who I am, they now live on in my children.

You ARE leaving a legacy…
What will it be?
You are creating that legacy at this very moment…

Is it a legacy of fear and doubt?
A legacy of poverty?
A legacy of depression?
A legacy of complacency?
A legacy of self-loathing?
Of settling for mediocrity?
Of negativity?
Of divisiveness?
Of drama?
Of blame?
Of victimization?

…OR…

Will you leave a legacy of positive thinking?
A legacy of taking action?
A legacy of knowing that God has created you for a specific purpose that only you can fulfill?
A legacy of gratitude?
A legacy of responsibility?
A legacy of self-worth, caring, concern?
A legacy of making a difference?
Of peace, pulling up your boot-straps, making the best of it?
Of inclusion?
Of continual improvement?
Of humor?
Of joy?
Of caring more than is practical?
Of brave, bold, courageous service for the Kingdom instead of playing it safe?

Will you teach your child that he’s not good enough and that dreams aren’t for people like him?

Or will you teach your child (and his children to come) that the dream in his heart was placed there by God and that NO dream is too big?
Will you teach him to honor God by achieving and living out that dream? Are YOU honoring God by achieving and living out the dreams that He has etched upon your heart?

Once the legacy is laid down, it will be woven into generation after generation. What will your legacy say about you 100 years from now?
If it isn’t what you want it to be, it isn’t too late to make the changes you need to make.

You are worthy of a legacy as big and as wonderful as God’s love is for you.

And your children deserve nothing less.

Question: You ARE leaving a legacy. What will it be? Will it honor God?