Today I'm thinking about heritage. I do think about family tree things, but that is not what I am considering today.
Today I'm thinking about the ever outward circle of the pebble in the pond that seems to me, when I toss it, to have little effect one way or the other, but in truth may make a big difference to the small lichen growing on the stone that was never expecting to be sent to the briny deep.
This is like acts of kindness. Some years ago a very special man added his willingness to serve with his special skills and gifts and tomorrow morning if I go for a walk around my church's property I will enjoy the fruits of this, although I have never met the man. He planted; he advised. He worked; he taught. He loved with his hands and feet and intellect so year around folks walking on that property, whether for health or solace or comfort or thought or prayer, are blessed by his actions some years past.
What will I leave behind? I am leaving my children and grandchildren so capable of kindness and love; and for that I am grateful to dozens of people who helped make that happen and the God who loves them more and more perfectly that I ever can.
Beyond that, I don't expect to invent the next amazing new thing. I have not built a business or been the best 3rd grade teacher I could ever be. I hope over the years my financial advice has helped folks here and there, but when I transverse the walking trail I don't see that I have added anything that is so enduring in an earthly sense.
On the other hand, God does not promise that we will understand the good we do, as truly as we are capable of not knowing we are causing serious harm where none was intended. So in the end, my heritage rests in my ability to more closely conform to what God wants me to do, neither demanding to understand, nor rushing off under the steam of my own enthusiasm.
It seems to be an endless journey, but for the baby steps I am grateful.
Today I'm thinking about the ever outward circle of the pebble in the pond that seems to me, when I toss it, to have little effect one way or the other, but in truth may make a big difference to the small lichen growing on the stone that was never expecting to be sent to the briny deep.
This is like acts of kindness. Some years ago a very special man added his willingness to serve with his special skills and gifts and tomorrow morning if I go for a walk around my church's property I will enjoy the fruits of this, although I have never met the man. He planted; he advised. He worked; he taught. He loved with his hands and feet and intellect so year around folks walking on that property, whether for health or solace or comfort or thought or prayer, are blessed by his actions some years past.
What will I leave behind? I am leaving my children and grandchildren so capable of kindness and love; and for that I am grateful to dozens of people who helped make that happen and the God who loves them more and more perfectly that I ever can.
Beyond that, I don't expect to invent the next amazing new thing. I have not built a business or been the best 3rd grade teacher I could ever be. I hope over the years my financial advice has helped folks here and there, but when I transverse the walking trail I don't see that I have added anything that is so enduring in an earthly sense.
On the other hand, God does not promise that we will understand the good we do, as truly as we are capable of not knowing we are causing serious harm where none was intended. So in the end, my heritage rests in my ability to more closely conform to what God wants me to do, neither demanding to understand, nor rushing off under the steam of my own enthusiasm.
It seems to be an endless journey, but for the baby steps I am grateful.
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