Over the past few weeks I have been thinking about the legacy we leave to others around us. Not only have I been thinking about this a lot, but the Lord keeps giving me verses, songs, and thoughts from others that have really made me stop and contemplate the meaning of the word legacy and what that means in my life.
Exodus 20:5-6
"I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands."
Even though many of the generational struggles and sins are passed down for years, even for several generations, I am so thankful that God's unfailing love is passed down for a thousand generations. This heritage and legacy of faithfulness and love for God has an even greater influence than bad influences over several generations!
These verses and thoughts are very encouraging to me and give me motivation to start changing some of my habits and sins that already are impacting my friends and family, but someday will affect my children as well. These thoughts have given me motivation to live each day as it comes for Jesus and to begin taking purposeful action to change bad habits and sins in my life: insecurity, pride, selfishness, and the list goes on and on.
James 1:22
"But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves."
"For now, my sweet princess, make every moment count, because what you do today echos throughout eternity. Like ripples in a pond, your hard work and faithfulness to Me spread far beyond this life and into forever."
"His Princess" p. 90
I am going to end this blog with some of the lyrics from Matthew West's new song "The Story of Your Life"
Or only the beginning?
The second chance
You never thought you'd get
The question is
Will you do something with it
Or spend your days
Lost in your regret
This is the story of your life
You decide
How the rest is gonna read
This is your chance between the lines
To redefine what kind of legacy you leave
This is the story of your life
And it's a story worth telling
Breathe in deep
Feel your heart still breathing
Let's go see the reason you're alive
Oh you are here
and love is up to something
So take your fear
and leave it all behind
This is the story of your life
You decide
How the rest is gonna read
This is your chance between the lines
To redefine what kind of legacy you leave
This is the story of your life
And it's a story worth telling
This is the joy
And it's the pain
And all the pages in between
Your finest hour
Your weakest moment
It where you've been
It's where you are
It's where you're going
This is the story of your life
You decide
How the rest is gonna read
This is your chance between the lines
To redefine the kind of legacy you leave
This is the story of your life
Go tell the story of your life
Cause it's a story worth telling
It's worth telling
