-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
February 6, 2009
|-- HEARTLIGHT NEEDS YOUR HELP... -------------------------|
We truly need your help to keep the light shining! Please
take a moment to see how you can help us continue our
online ministry of 12 years:
|-- http://www.heartlight.org/support/ --------------------|
=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Unveiling of Legacy, by Ron Rose
A good life gets passed on to the grandchildren ... (Proverbs 13:22
MSG).
Preparation
Thomas Cahill writes about history, legacy really. In The Gift of the
Jews, Cahill explores the impact of "the God of Abraham." This
Creator-God gives us a beginning and an end; he defines justice and
mercy, refines our conscience. And, as Cahill states, "Most of our best
words—new, adventure, surprise, unique, individual, person, vocation,
time, history, future, freedom, progress, spirit: faith, hope,
justice—are the gifts of the Jews," Abraham's legacy to us.
Stay with me as we sneak a peek into our legacy -- our view of life and
living.
For better or worse, my dad shaped my view of the world. Part of his
personal story was clouded by years of alcohol addiction, but his
perspective about life has become clearer and more meaningful as the
years have gone by. From my dad, I learned to never throw away what
could be fixed, to refrain from freeze-framing people (everyone can and
will change), and to think outside the box (look for unexpected
options). Over the years I have become his legacy, unwrapping the best
and forgetting the worst.
Legacy is the wisdom, convictions, experiences, and values that have
been handed down to us from the generations before us. It shapes our
worldview, providing wisdom and direction for the next generation.
Legacy is powerful. It is a gift we are compelled to open, but after
opening it, we are faced with challenges and choices. Will we accept
the gift and find a place to display it and share it, toss it, or rebel
against it?
What have you done with the legacy you were given?
How have your parents, your early years, your grandparents shaped your
perspective on life?
Then the bonus question: How much of your faith is yours and how much
of it is what you inherited from others?
Inspiration
A few days ago I was blessed by a "holy moment."
Mearl's body was at the funeral home; the memorial service was set for
the next day, so most of the details related to death had been dealt
with. Now it was time to talk.
We gathered in the family room to tell stories, share memories, and
unwrap the legacy of Mearl Jacobs. She had lived a life filled with
stories, from the dust bowl of Oklahoma to Southern California to
Abilene, Texas. Most people didn't know that she worked for thirty
years at Rockwell International and helped prepare the budget for the
first space shuttle; or that even at 82 years of age, she loved the
highest of the high-heeled shoes; or that although she really didn't
care much for baseball, she loved listening to Vin Scully call the LA
Dodger's games because her son, John, loved baseball.
Before long, the conversation turned from stories about Mearl, to
stories of how she changed and shaped the lives in the room.
Her daughter, Carol, said, "Just a few hours before Mom died she said
she wanted to go home. 'I asked her if she meant back to her
apartment?' She said, 'NO!' I asked, 'Home to be with Jesus?' 'YES!'"
That did it. The legacy began to emerge. A tapestry of love and grace
and service was realized that night. Mearl had lived a life that rubbed
off on the young and old alike. When she rubbed off on you, you left a
different person, a better person. She was gifted that way.
She knew how to demonstrate the things that really mattered. She stood
up for values that she held dear and she always seemed to know how to
grace people, to accept them "as is." Her grandkids talked of her
perpetual, unconditional acceptance of them, no matter what.
It's her legacy.
Some things have to be seen to be understood: love, forgiveness,
acceptance, and faith are a few. Mearl knew how to help you see. Her
life was an investment in family and church and friends -- in people.
The fingerprints of God were all over that room. It was a legacy
celebration, and I was honored to feel the holiness of it. Mearl had
seen the best in these kids before they had seen it in themselves and
now they understood. The gift was unwrapped; the legacy unveiled.
The next day, it was clear that Mearl was still around. We buried the
body, but she lives in all those present and beyond. She is still
hugging and giving and loving and smiling and if you are really in need
of it, she is still giving "that look."
It's her legacy.
Motivation
You have received a legacy and you are building a legacy. They are both
bigger than you. Make the most of both.
What is it that you want said about you when you're gone? What rubbings
are you leaving on the people in your family and in your world?
Like those before you, you are shaping the worldview of those who come
after you. So get on with it.
Regardless of what others do or have done, YOU have the choice!
Visit the i2eye page and take the challenge. Listen to the spots and
see what God does with 21 days: http://www.faithteam.org/talks.htm
---------
(c) 2009 FaithFitness and Ron Rose <ron@faithteam.org>.
RELATED LINKS:
* Leaving a Legacy of Faith
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200711/20071116_legacy.html
* Our Legacy
http://www.heartlight.org/justforwomen/jfw_980708_legacy.html
* Legacy
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200106/20010608_legacy.html
* Faith Team
http://www.faithteam.org
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200902/20090206_legacy.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
THE MAN GOD USES, by Henry and Tom Blackaby
Will show you how an ordinary man can be transformed into an
extraordinary servant of God.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?223
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
HEARTLIGHT DAILY EMAIL /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/ \/
Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus music,
devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are welcome and tax-deductible! Find out how to help!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-heartlight@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
To unsubscribe send a blank email to:
heartlight-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
======================================================================
