I attended two separate and distinct events today that were
designed to recognize the past. One was
the 50th anniversary of my church congregation being located at
their current address. Many names from
the past were mentioned, and their service recognized. Honor was extended to them…many of them in
their memory since they have since passed on.
The church that is there now is in many ways one of their legacies.
The other event was a Masonic ceremony in memory of members
that had passed away in the previous year.
When I say it was a ceremony, I mean that to the fullest extent. I am not a Mason, but my father-in-law was,
and he was one of the men for whom the memorial was held. The event was held in the Scottish Rite
Cathedral in downtown Indianapolis, and my wife’s father simply loved that
place. He spent hours upon hours there,
performed countless works of service in support of the organization, and was
fully devoted to the Masonic and Scottish Rite principles. As I walked around inside the old, very ornate
building with its intricate craftsmanship, I couldn’t help but think of Woody and how much he truly loved it
there. It is one of his legacies.
Legacy.
A legacy in simple terms is just something handed down from
one individual, generation, or organization to another.
Many people just pass on through this life and leave very
little mark…very little legacy. Sure,
those closest to them have memories…small legacies…that they hang onto for a
few years. But, soon enough, those
memories fall into the chasm of history.
If you consider history, recognizing the millions upon millions of
people who have lived, how many of them really did, said, or accomplished
something of significant consequence that caused people to remember them beyond
their own lifetime?
Have you ever considered what your legacy will be? What will you have to hand down?
And, on top of even the idea of handing down a legacy, have
you considered whether it will be a GOOD legacy? After all, some people are truly remembered,
but not for the good they left in their wake.
Think Hitler, etc.
I hope that when my time comes to pass on into the annals of
history that I have left behind some pieces and parts that are worthwhile of
being remembered. Maybe that’s why I
write. Once I’m gone, my literary
creations will remain...whether you think they are good or not so good. But, I hope I leave a bigger legacy than a
few articles, some cheesy poems, and a handful of decent short stories.
I hope I leave a legacy of making a difference.
First of all, I hope that my feeble attempts service in leadership at the Southeastern Church of Christ will be used by God to truly help
people. I hope when they celebrate the
75th or 100th anniversary that they will think well
enough of me…that I will have done enough good…to be mentioned as a positive
influence. I don't want to be remembered for holding a title...but for making a difference.
But, even more important to me is my hope that I will pass
the baton of a love for God on to my children just as my dad passed it on to
me.
I’m good at my work.
I’m a successful salesperson in an industrial industry. But, I don’t really care all that much about
how I’m remembered for that. Who cares
if I sell more bearings than anyone else?
I could become the most successful bearing salesman to have ever lived,
but if I have not helped someone to a better life, and especially if I have not
passed on that flame of faith born of a love for God to my children, then I am
a failure and I should be forgotten.
Some people have to have the most toys. What’s the saying? “He who dies with the most toys wins!” Really?
Who is going to care once those toys are rusted out, distributed to others, or auctioned off?
Some people want the greenest lawn surrounded by an impeccable landscape. Give me some dandelions….I’ll put up with
crabgrass…if the trade-off is that my kids walk with the Lord.
We are still building our legacies…you and me. It is still yet to be seen what we will leave
behind. I have a saying that I created a
few years ago:
“Be the person today that will lead you to become the person
that you want to be tomorrow.”
Think about that as you build your legacy. Be the person today that will lead you to
build the legacy that you want for tomorrow’s generation. That will be my goal.
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