My family has a reputation on our street for being "the people always with a project." Whether it's adding on, finishing the basement, building a pond, planting trees, or doing other renovations, we enjoy it because of the outcome and because the whole family participates.
Years ago we replaced the carpeting in our family room with hardwood floors. After we took out the carpet, Dad and Mom let us kids draw underneath. We outlined each others bodies, drew pictures, and wrote messages in case someone in the future were to uninstall the hardwood or, for whatever reason, look under the floor.
The room turned out great! While our doodles are now covered up by the flooring, I know that they are still there. At times, I've thought about how neat it would be to tear apart just a few boards and see again what all we drew and wrote. But on second thought, I'd prefer to leave it there and let someone else enjoy uncovering that surprise.
I suppose you could say we've left our permanent mark. As long as the house is still standing, we will always be a part of it.
With our lives, we have the opportunity to leave a legacy. This is our temporary home, but we can use our time here to paint a picture or write a message for those yet to come. You never know who is going to be living in your home-- it could be family or strangers. So, why not keep something there for them to discover?
There's no telling who, when or for what reason someone will look under the floor. The influence you can have even after you're long gone is unimaginable.
I can promise your life will be remembered. What do you want people to say after you're gone? As long as the earth is still spinning, your footprint will remain.
"For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you." Philemon 1:7
Leaving a legacy is about so much more than looking back and seeing how we've changed the world with our life. It's about looking back at all the lives we've changed and then, in turn, watching those people change the world.
-Rachel
Years ago we replaced the carpeting in our family room with hardwood floors. After we took out the carpet, Dad and Mom let us kids draw underneath. We outlined each others bodies, drew pictures, and wrote messages in case someone in the future were to uninstall the hardwood or, for whatever reason, look under the floor.
The room turned out great! While our doodles are now covered up by the flooring, I know that they are still there. At times, I've thought about how neat it would be to tear apart just a few boards and see again what all we drew and wrote. But on second thought, I'd prefer to leave it there and let someone else enjoy uncovering that surprise.
I suppose you could say we've left our permanent mark. As long as the house is still standing, we will always be a part of it.
With our lives, we have the opportunity to leave a legacy. This is our temporary home, but we can use our time here to paint a picture or write a message for those yet to come. You never know who is going to be living in your home-- it could be family or strangers. So, why not keep something there for them to discover?
There's no telling who, when or for what reason someone will look under the floor. The influence you can have even after you're long gone is unimaginable.
I can promise your life will be remembered. What do you want people to say after you're gone? As long as the earth is still spinning, your footprint will remain.
"For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you." Philemon 1:7
Leaving a legacy is about so much more than looking back and seeing how we've changed the world with our life. It's about looking back at all the lives we've changed and then, in turn, watching those people change the world.
-Rachel
I don’t want anyone seeing what I’ve swept under the floor. :) ~ eddie
ReplyDeleteWow, Rachel! Just that thought..."the influence you can have even after you're long gone in unimaginable" really makes us all think long and hard about what legacy we want to leave.
ReplyDeleteA 'good friend' of mine sent this song to me by the Sidewalk Prophets. Here are some of the lyrics....
"Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs
Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song
I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You"
Boy, THAT will make you think.
Another thought....while it IS important to consider what legacy we will leave and what people will think of us....it's still of the utmost importance what our audience of ONE thinks of us.
I really DO want everything I say and do to point to....HIM!
Thanks for the good word, Rachel!