Sunday Afternoon Tea - Living the Legacy

O may all who come behind us find us faithful,
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave,
Lead them to believe,
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.

I have pondered the subject of legacy since I was married, just days after I turned twenty.  With another birthday celebrated last week and another anniversary coming up in a few days, it is somewhat alarming to think how quickly time passes us by.  

Forty-some years ago, I wondered what the years ahead would hold and now I'm looking at years gone by and wondering what kind of legacy the years have written. I know my family would think of faith and books and kitties and undoubtedly a love for coffee and tea time.  However, they would also think of such unanticipated (as a bride) interests such as cows, roosters, chickens, and ummm... Bigfoot.

As I've thought about the subject the past week, I was also reminded by that Still Small Voice and the Bible that I am still living that legacy.  The last page has not been written.  

We are all still living our legacy.

I have come to realize that legacy is not only about the big subjects of life but quite often, it takes place in those moment by moment decisions we find ourselves making without thinking much about them.  Those activities which are drawn up from our heart before making their way into the world.

For instance, something I have reminded my husband for a very long time is that "when we have nothing else to give God, we can give Him our attitude".  How are we reacting to what is going on in the world today?  Are we fretting or are we drawing closer to Him.  Do we spread fear to others or do they find us staying as calm as one can be when it seems the world is falling apart.

So often, it is in the small deeds we do that show people that we care for them.  When we make that special meal or bake their favorite pie.  When we see something we know they would love and set it aside for a birthday or Christmas gift.  We show how much we care when we share a favorite book we have been reading or take the time to write a real letter instead of sending a quick email.

I truly believe our legacy is made up of mostly small stuff, those precept-upon-precept words given and each kindness shown.  Even God recognizes the importance of a drink of cold water given in love.  Imagine a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies and a glass of cold milk.

Those things we do that show our love for others are exactly what opens the door for us to share our love of God with them.  For I am well aware that it is in following Christ that I have love to give when the days are long and the news is not the best.  

If I acted only "in the flesh", I would be stomping my feet and leaving dreadful comments on Facebook... neither of which do I actually do but it is because of His spirit within me.

I must admit that each week (day?) seems to bring new opportunities to lose my peace.  Decisions being made by politicians seem to be serving only to bring down the economies of freedom loving countries.  There appears to be a return of COVID in the new strain that has government leaders talking about shutdowns again... and actually doing them in other countries.

Not to mention, the planet itself seems to be in great distress with fires and floods and volcanoes and storms and while some say we are the cause of these catastrophes and everything from cars to cows are bringing about climate change... I would say that it is not Mother Earth who is not happy but our Holy God who has almost had it up to "here" with those very things that are vexing our spirits.

Of course, we can see the damage humans can do to the planet.  I watched a Hopi Indian leader talking on YouTube recently and he said before the non-natives came to North America, one could safely drink from any creek or river because the water was that pure.

However, it is not car exhaust or cow flatulence that is causing the planet to groan in agony.  The Bible tells us that all creation groans until God makes all things new again. I sometimes wonder if even the planet is tired of all that is happening, is the planet as vexed as I am at times?

So, now that I have thoroughly discouraged you and caused you to spend time on the corner of the sofa with a pint of ice cream and praise music in the background... what does any of this have to do with living our legacy.

It's because this is still our time.  Most of us are at an age when we have been through a lot of stuff and we have seen God's miraculous work in our life.  Quite often, the answers to our prayers came slower than we would have liked and may have not looked like what we expected... but He always came through.  We can look back and see His hand in everything as He wove the tapestry of our lives.

We can be the voice of calm to the people around us because we have already been to the Rock of our Salvation.  We know that if we begin to fall into the deep waters of uncertainty, He will grab us just as He did with Peter walking on the water.  He will not let us go under.

If we have asked Jesus to be our Savior and meant it, then the Holy Spirit lives within us and He wants to give us wisdom and guidance. I am trying to make changes in my daily routine to have more quiet in the mornings than I presently do... for it seems as the day goes by, the chance for quiet dims.

We live in a culture very different than what most of us ever expected and far different than what we've been used to previously.  The rules have changed and they do not always reconcile with our belief system laid out in the Word of God.  How do we walk that legacy and show love to those around us?

For, I do believe the most important difference our friends and family will see in us from those with no hope is that we stay calm and speak kindness.  Do I mean that we go along with their beliefs which are totally against the Word of God?  Not at all and I don't believe we have to. 

We live in prophetic times and we know who wins the great cosmic battle.  I want my legacy to lead people toward Him while not giving anyone permission to walk in such a way that will prevent them from coming to Him.  That can only be accomplish when we spend time in talking to Him and reading what He has to say.

I know this post today is on the serious side but these are definitely serious times.  With His help, we will get through just fine and reach the end of that journey that we began the day we were born.  That is why we lay our crowns at His feet someday.  We are aware that everything we accomplished was only because of God's strength within us.

Image:  Shady Patio

Lyrics:  Find Us Faithful by Steve green