Yesterday was the day I finally tore off the top page of my desk blotter which also serves as my calendar. And it still read “August”. I kid you not.
It is hard to believe it is now November and three months have slipped by. It is a new season as summer gave way to fall. We also turned the clocks back, perhaps gaining an hour of sleep in exchange for less daylight.
The combination of it all turns my thoughts to the coming holidays and family. The word “legacy” gently slips into my thoughts and reach for the book from off my shelf.
“… there’s one thing we can know for certain: yielded, obedient surrender will keep us right where God wants us. It will enable us to see our lives and futures the way God sees them, approaching each day with His contented, confident, comforting sense of perspective. Choosing to yield in obedience to His wise direction and calling is how a lot of our unfinished business becomes constructed into a legacy of faith. More each day. Each time we trust and obey.”
(from Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer, page 209)
Each day we choose to trust and obey Him, we are constructing a legacy. Legacy is the gift we hand down from one generation to another. We build the legacy from day to day for it to be left behind when we depart from this earth.
“Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9 NLT).
Our lives will have supernatural effects lasting not only in this life but in the life to come.
I won’t be on this earth to witness a thousand generations. I am, however, the third generation in our family to walk with God. I have surely reaped the benefits of the prayers, wisdom, and stories of the first two generations. And my life will impact these, my peeps …
Are you the very first in your family to follow Christ?
Are you, like me, the third?
Are you the 10th in line?
No matter which spot you fill, as you love and obey Him, you are passing the blessing and the privilege, the legacy onto the next generation.
One day we will each stand before God. We will see Him in all of His glory and majesty. In the midst of all the tongues, tribes, and nations, right alongside of me, will be my thousand generations.
I may never live to see them all here. But one day, I will meet each and every one. And then, there will only be one thought going through my head –
“It was so worth it!
The price of trust and obedience was so worth it!!!”
Today I am joining … #ChasingCommunity and Heart Encouragement Thursday and Tune In Thursday and Salt & Light .
Joanne, as I read I thought of my grandparents and my in laws, and how their legacy and prayers helped shape the ones coming behind them. It’s so important to remember that we, too, are leaving a legacy. Thank you!
Leslie, like you I find when I realize the legacy that has been left, I remember the legacy I will one day leave. May we live our days wisely!
Joanne, you made me smile today for two reasons: #1 I have done the same thing with calendars, not changing them for months–silly me. But my book-style planner is invaluable and always up-to-date. #2 Your family photo is beautiful!
I am not quite sure where I am in a line of family faith. I’m somewhere in a very long line of German Lutherans, which I traced back to the 1700’s my freshman year of high school. Haven’t gone on ancestry.com yet to discover more, but that would be fun sometime.
My great-grandparents and my grandparents on my dad’s side were people of rock-solid faith. I am grateful they passed their faith on to me. Now I’m trying to pass it on to my three children to keep the cycle moving forward.
Sarah, how beautiful that you have been left a long and godly heritage. May we be faithful so that our children will reap the continued benefits. Blessings upon you all!
I love this perspective on legacy, Joanne, and the quote from Priscilla Shirer is certainly profound in its beautiful simplicity. ‘More each day. Each time we trust and obey.’ Love the family photo! 🙂
Thank you for your encouragement, Carlie. I loved the quote from Priscilla Shirer.
I know I’m at least the fourth generation of believers on one side of my family; the third generation on the other side.
How mind-blowing to think of a thousand generations!
I definitely want to do my part of living out my faith for my children and grandchildren’s generations.
Jerralea, I love hearing how many generations are in each one’s family. It is definitely mind blowing to think of a thousand generations. It also should motivate and inspire us to live fully so as to pass our faith onto the next generation. Blessings!
Wow, friend. I’ve never thought into the future of heaven, and considered meeting the ones who are there as a result of my obedience. What a beautiful imagine. Legacy is so important. And, you’re right…so worth it. Such a good post, thank you. <3 xoxo
It truly is beautiful to think on, Brenda. So glad you stopped here today!
So very encouraging, Joanne!
The concept of leaving a legacy motivates me to live each day with eternity in mind.
Love that quote from Priscilla Shirer!
I am utterly convinced that you are leaving a beautiful legacy to your own family and to the Lulu family as well.
God Bless you in all and through all.
Mary, thank you for your kind encouragement time and time again! You are such a blessing and leaving a beautiful legacy to your children as well! xo
I love the idea of legacy and even more so how I can grow my parents legacy as well as my own.
Priscilla’s quote speaks of obedience. Every “Yes” we say to God is a way for us to grow our legacy. Looking forward to God will keep us on the right path.
Your family photo is beautiful and such a treasure.
Mary, I love what you have shared! Amazing to think that we each build onto the legacy left to us and thus grow it a little bit more. Beautiful thought!