LEGACY

Some years ago I made the decision to not make New Year's resolutions. For some folks that works great but not so much for me. I decided instead to choose a word for the year. The word was chosen after praying and letting God bring it to me. The word would encompass my bible reading/study, my prayer time, and hopefully action that I take during the year. Without a doubt last year God told me my word for 2022 should be legacy. Long story short, I didn't encompass the word as much as I had wanted. Sometime back in the early fall God started speaking to me about extending my word into 2023. So here we are the 1st of January and I have my word Legacy and I wanted to share some thoughts about it with you.

We all leave a legacy whether we are conscious of it or not. It is not set in stone to be a good thing or a bad thing. In the worldly circles a legacy is usually of monetary value, fame or fortune, notoriety, possessions and statue. There are those who have left a legacy we all admire such as Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, Churchill, Walt Disney, Queen Elizabeth just as an example. Then there are others that leave a legacy we don't admire such as Hugh Hefner, Hitler, and Jeffrey Dahmer. In my life I want to leave a legacy that is positive and I want it to be intentional.

In my search I have found nowhere in the bible where it uses the word Legacy but found there are a storehouse of scriptures, people and stories that show us the word Legacy and how important it is. There are a few definitions that I have found and these will be the building blocks of this year for me. And my prayer is that over the years I have left that I will build on this intentional foundation. One definition I love is "planting seeds in a garden that I might never get to see".  Legacy is "something handed down from one person to another/others", "something powerful that people will remember and treasure" in reference to God's legacy in Psalms 145:4-7..."One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness!" I, in no way shape or form, will be at this level but it is great example of the utmost legacy.  For my life, and I can only accomplish it through help from God and the Holy Spirit, and perseverance, prayer, support, and grace, I desire to leave a legacy  of passion for my faith, integrity, credibility, what God values in us, a heart of kindness, forgiveness, and a true and simple but all encompassing love for God! And I pray and ask you to pray for me that God will enlarge this list as time goes on!

The Lord has spoke and I have heard and I am truly excited and encouraged to do my best with His help to work on this important word this year and not for my glory but for those I leave behind, "From generation to generation we will proclaim your praise and Your name!" Psalm 79:22. In my life my parents left me a powerful legacy, a legacy that has given me a lifetime of knowing who God is, following him, a zest for continuing to learn about my God, love him, and service him. I have two...and spouses make four beautiful children, two exceptional grandchildren, sisters and nieces and nephews, and so many faithful friends and acquaintances who I want to leave something important and meaningful to as my parents did for me. And the Lord has said now to the time to intentionally begin...He has laid this word in my heart. Pray for me and as always my prayers go with you!

"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God namely Christ". Colossians 2: 2-3