Your Legacy
Legacy: The long-lasting impact of the actions during a person’s life. (positive or negative)
Each of us should consider the legacy we leave behind. Part of our legacy is how we treat, act, and behave toward others, especially in front of our children, grandchildren, etc. THEY are the legacy we leave this world and if we teach them through our actions HOW to treat others in a loving, generous, positive, forgiving, and supportive manner, we have given an invaluable gift to this world.
The few people who give me feedback on my writing tell me I should use my life as a testimony which means you hear a lot about my personal experiences and my life. The person who left the biggest impact on my life, mind, heart, and soul is my Grandma Daisy.
Grandma Daisy was barren and never gave birth to a child of her own, but she was the best grandma ever! She married my grandfather long before I was born, but he died 6 weeks before I arrived on September 3, 1958. The only grandfather I really knew was Grandpa Tom, her husband after my grandfather passed. Neither of them was blood relatives, but no better examples of kindness, generosity, and patience. Grandma Daisy prompted my spiritual growth as well and I believe I became a pastor because when she arrived in heaven I believe she asked God to teach me to serve Him 100% of the time. It worked!
My parents divorced when I was 2. Grandma Daisy became a huge source of support for my mother and often cared for my older sister, Diana. She taught her to read at a very young age which impacted my sister’s life forever. As we grew up in a struggling, “yours, mine, and ours” family, she was the stability I needed. We didn’t often get special foods or treats due to lack of funds, but she always had Prime Rib for New Year's Eve and every evening we were at her house was “banana split” night. Breakfast was eggs, bacon, and Grandpa’s special, homemade, buttermilk pancakes with blueberry syrup. I remember her making the best-tasting tuna fish sandwiches for lunch. She also bought us Easter dresses and took us to church. She even sent plane tickets so I could come visit in the summer. My very best memories are with my grandma and grandpa.
Fast forward to my adulthood. I had one goal and that was to be like Grandma Daisy. Nurturing, loving, supporting, accepting, and the best grandmother I could be to my grandchildren. Even now, two and a half decades after her passing, her name often spills from my lips; a reflection of her example and love flowing from my heart to others. Despite never having one child of her own, we never felt that we weren’t hers. She was more engaged and involved in our lives than anyone outside our home and her LEGACY lives on. Not just in my treatment of my progeny, but in my life and ministry. Each kind act, every thoughtful word, and my desire to be more godly stems from this beautiful lady. Even though I didn’t realize it as a child, I was greatly and permanently blessed through her.
God’s scripture is very simple about our life and legacy.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Jesus looks at your heart!)
What is a heavenly treasure?
Treating others BETTER than yourself. Consider others more important than yourself. SELFLESSNESS!!!!! -- Romans 12:10; James 2:8; Philippians 2:3 and
Galatians 5:13-14 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Serving others. Forgiving others. Loving others, even your enemies (especially your enemies). Caring, supporting, encouraging, listening, and being patient with the “trespasses of others.” None of us is perfect and the Lord’s Prayer reminds us of that!
Lord’s Prayer:
Matthew 6:9-14 “Our Father in heaven, hallowed (sacred) be your name, your kingdom come, you will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. (trust God to provide for your needs) And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (keep us from sin) For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
By following these few scripture verses and being focused on being the best example of humanity and human kindness the world has ever seen, your legacy will be everlasting. YOUR legacy will be passed on through generations and you will be remembered as I remember my grandmother. Every person in my life benefits from HER generosity, teaching through actions, love, and kindness because I want to emulate her!
Remember, it matters not how people in the here and now think of you. Do not get wrapped up in self-pity and negativity because people don’t treat you well. Life and legacy are all about HOW YOU TREAT others. The Bible doesn’t say “Treat others as others have treated you!” Break that generational curse in your life. YOU lead the way. God will forgive our debts as we forgive the debts of others. Never is it said or implied that we are to wait for others to treat us with kindness first.
Your legacy matters! Act as though it is important because you likely have more influence over others than you think. If you claim to be Christian and act ungodly, people will see you as a hypocrite and use it as an excuse to dislike the church, you and God. You can’t control the actions of others, but you can CHOOSE to act in a godly way in ALL situations. Your legacy matters!
Amen and Amen. XOXO Lisa
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