What Will Be Our Legacy?

I confess that I like to read people's obituaries. Maybe it is because I heard someone give a sermon once who asked the question, "What will your obituary say about you?"

These days, we hear a great deal of discussion about our Presidents and their legacies. It seems to be very important to the history writers and to a few of our living Presidents.

Here is my short list of a president's legacy should be. He honored the office of President and took his oath of office seriously. He said what he meant and meant what he said. He loved children and dogs. He took the time to acquaint himself with his fellow Americans. He spent time in prayer for the safety and welfare of the nation. He stood tall in the saddle when adversity came his way.

My goals for my own legacy would be; that I loved God, tried my best to be a gift to others, loved my family, learned to rebuild the bridges that I had burned in my youth and was able to build new ones in my later life.

My personal list gets more detailed with age. Right now, being a grandma is pretty important and I also think that being a good wife, mother and friend is good too.

So how do we define our individual legacy? Can we guess what will be said by others when we are gone from this earth? Will it be full of dates or wonderful stories of love and laughter?

Each day, I am finding it more urgent to encourage everyone to take stock of their personal lives and to make the changes that are necessary. Not because I want to be bossy, but we cannot be strong as a nation or family if we are all pulling in different directions.

A lariat is stronger than a piece of twine. A piece of twine is stronger than a single thread. We all have a special purpose in this world and should be able to acknowledge it in others.

Some days, it is pretty difficult to find a good quality in some people! But even if they are able to get your dander up about something, it does get you off of the couch, doesn't it?

At the end of your days on this earth, will your loved ones share the wonderful memories of your life? Will your legacy be listed in great detail or just be a few lines with some dates? Will it be said in your obituary that you will be missed and loved by many?

I sure hope that mine will read that way. But Today is my legacy,

and I want to make my husband laugh and make my grandchildren smile. And on the last day of my life, I hope to hear the words of my Maker, "Well Done My Faithful Servant".