I’ve been thinking about my legacy lately. It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the here and now, but, as the Bible says, we walk the earth for such a short time. So I’ve been pondering, what mark will Andrea Tabler leave on this world? Will it count? And will it be lasting?
What got me to thinking about my legacy was a passage I read in the bible study I’m doing right now. The study is called Walk on Water Faith by Catherine Martin. In week five of the study, Catherine wrote about faith that leaves a legacy. She shared about Sarah Edwards, who was the wife of the well-known Jonathan Edwards, a key voice in the Great Awakening of the 1700s. Sarah and Jonathan had 11 children. Their legacy really grabbed my attention:
“She loved her husband, was fiercely committed to her family, and demonstrated a life of devotion. She was well known for her hospitality and for sharing Christ with all who entered her home. One biographer has outlined in detail the descendants of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards by their outstanding contributions to society. The marriage produced 13 college presidents, 65 professors, 100 lawyers and a dean of a law school, 30 judges, 66 physicians and a dean of a medical school, 80 holders of public office, including three US senators, mayors, governors of three states, a vice president of the US, and authors of 135 books.”
Wow! I imagine that she was probably an everyday women like me, with a to-do list that was too long, insecurities and worries, trials and joys. I venture to guess she had no idea what we would read about her legacy 300 years later! Clearly, her life mattered while she was on earth, and it kept mattering long after she was gone.
I’m reminded of the fleeting nature of life in the book of James.
How’s that for a reminder of our time here? A mist. A short time. My heart’s desire is to make it count! Then Deuteronomy gives me further instructions.
So my life is short, and I’m to pass my love of Lord my God to my children. What exactly does this mean for me? I don’t have all the answers, but I’m praying for the Lord to give me wisdom. What I do know is that I want to be a woman who lives with clarity and purpose. And single-mindedness. That’s so hard for this scattered multi-tasker!
I think the idea of leaving a legacy was easier for me when I was women’s ministry coordinator at CrossBridge Community Church for many years. I spent many hours every week working on events that I hoped would lead women to be closer to God. I spent a great deal of my time meeting with and discipling other women, to encourage and support them. I had ample opportunities to pray for women about their marriages, their fears and their faith.
I’m no longer in that season of life, and for all I know, I may never have the opportunity to serve in a role like that again. What that means is that I need to find new ways to direct people to the grace and love of Christ. Even though I now live in a place where I don’t know many people yet, I must be intentional and seek out opportunities to make this world a better place. Today, I’m saying YES to God about this! I take his commands seriously, and I am positive he doesn’t have me here just to have immediate concerns be my focus. He wants me to serve selflessly. To love abundantly. To live purposefully.
I may not leave a legacy of professors, physicians and governors. But I can make choices every day to ensure that I leave a legacy of hospitality, kindness, grace, compassion and love.
xoxo,
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Hello, this post inspires some good thinking. I think it is natural to want to leave a legacy, to know our life matters and that the world is somehow better because we were here. I am not sure we can ever truly know our legacy, because we don’t really know how we may have inspired or changed others. It is possible to be profound in small ways that don’t scream “legacy” but maybe change someone’s life. Blessings!
I agree, we will never know our legacy this side of heaven. And yes, the little things can have such a huge impact!
What a wonderful topic, and most likely, more important for me, as I am in my sunset years. So far I see my legacy around me, and you guys are everything I could have ever wanted and so very much more. In the sunset of my lifetime, I can look back and very honestly say, that everything I ever wanted to be do or have, I have been, done and had. Plus coming from a very chaotic and disfunctional home and family life, I had no clue how to have the one thing I wanted most. That was a happy family, in which all the participants loved, cared for and respected each other. I have that now even though the obstacles were overwhelming at times and I had no road maps. I have something much greater than any roadmap……I had a Higher Power that was with me through it all and put right in front of me, every person and experience and place to make it all come together in the most beautiful way. That is far more important than who and what the people in my legacy do for a living. What is more important is that they have an open mind, a caring way about them, and a loving heart…I don’t have to list a Higher Power because he is always there for all of us…if we pay attention to him and use his guidance.
I ask each day to show me how I can best serve Him and my fellows and then I watch…how exciting that is as I go through my day, waiting to see how to serve….that is fun. And I help who ever comes in front of me that day as they need my help. And I have a group where I will never know the breadth and depth of the legacy because so many are strangers to me at first. And many go their ways leaving me and the rest of the herd behind. I believe those of us in the 12 step program are chosen to serve in a way one only knows about when they have done it. That fellowship has changed me and my life in words I cannot even voice, and in ways even I didn’t not have knowledge of before joining the herd. It has been a monumental gift to me and I am forever grateful for it> I have so many brothers and sisters to care for and to be cared for. I love the life my Higher Power has blessed me with and I would not trade it for that of a King, Queen, Movie start or any other so-called glamorous lifestyles. I love being who I see in the mirror each day. Thank you God!
Love you, Mom!
Just beautiful!! Praying to live intentionally:)
Thanks, Lorri!
One year ago, my daughter and I left to see my grandmother in her last days. Her legacy continues, and one reason is her faithful prayers for her family and her daily reading of her well-worn Bible. She was one of the humblest, kindest people I have known, and set a high bar by her quiet, faithful example. Soli Deo Gloria!
Beautiful, Julia!
Great post, Andrea. I love this topic. It was the subject of my most recent blog, as well.
A lot of people, spiritual, and otherwise, avoid the topic of mortality. They find the subject to be too morbid, and unpleasant, to look at squarely in the face. This makes people procrastinate about making a difference in the world. ” I’ll do that volunteers work, next year. I’ll write that book when I retire.”
However, when we not only accept, but EMBRACE the fact that our time is limited, we are much more likely to use that time wisely.
We should view every day as an opportunity to honor our creator by using our unique gifts, to make the world a better place.
If we do that…our legacy writes itself.
Agree, Lee! Thanks for stopping by!
I love the scripture you’ve shared and I love the quote from Shannon Alder. It’s all so beautifully said and puts everything into perspective.
Thank you, Christine! Appreciate your encouragement.
Beautiful article and topic. My legacy is something I have thought about even in my younger years, because no one that I have ever met in my family will have more children to carry my birth surname on. While I do not expect to touch the lives of so many as Sarah Edwards, but I do hope to at least touch the lives of my children and family in a positive way. Anyways, I love your intentional living and personal call to action. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday.
Thank you for stopping by, Rachel!
I cannot explain in words how perfect this post is. I have been deep in thought all day after reading it and it is time to sit down and make some goals, changes, define my life and figure out what legacy I will be leaving behind. Not that I can do that in one day, but I think this is so inspiring and I am thrilled to be featuring you tonight! Thank you so much for creating this post for us! I am so glad I have found your blog and get to party with you!
Have a wonderful week Andrea!
Jess
Hi Jessica,
Your words are so encouraging to me! I’m thankful God would use what I wrote to spur you on in life. 🙂
xoxo
Andrea
Hi Andrea! I can’t tell you how much I needed to read this post today! I would like to mention it on my Friday Top Five next week when I play along on some of the linkup parties. I was wondering if I could use your “A Legacy Worth Leaving” graphic on my blog next week as well. I promise acknowlege permission and link back to your post here. Thanks.
Beautifully put. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the story of the Edwards family.
Such an inspiring post! I strive to recognize my purpose in this life and His plan for me. It is so easy to lose focus and get consumed by immediate concerns, as you wrote. Thank you for this beautiful reminder! Hugs