Leaving a Legacy of Yourself to Yourself

By Jarrod Spencer –

Legacy is defined as “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.” As a parent, I am conscience of the choices I make with and in front of my children will affect them long-term. I am creating a legacy for how they will operate (act, prioritize, associate, etc.). For example, how I treat their mother, how I walk the Christian walk, how I treat others, or how I raise them.

I think that when we go day to day, as parents, we may forget that compromising on some areas in life may have some detrimental outcomes to our children’s future. But think about how some of the same areas of compromise can have detrimental outcomes to our own future. That reminds me of this quote from Foster C. McClellan, “Create the kind of self you will be happy to live with all your life.”

If you’ve ever played Jenga you know that it is inevitable that the tower will fall. You build and build, but sometimes things happen that causes the tower to fall and you start the game over. Each day is a building process, even adding to others’ lives. Some days we may “tear down” others with a choice we made. Then, other days we are building back up. Hopefully, there is more building than tearing down!

As you are building on your own life, you should look to create a legacy, within you, so that the future will be a good one.

I am not talking just about morals, treating others, the Christian walk, but also our physical health is important. Other choices we make now will reflect on ourselves in the future. One nutrition fact I heard of late, that it takes about 60 minutes of walking to expend a 12 oz. can of soda. So, you can either increase your exercise for the day or decide to cut out that extra and drink water for one meal. That really put it into perspective for me, both from a personal and parenting perspective.

What will the “you” look like in 5, 10, or 30 years? Will you be happy to live with yourself at that time in your life?

PRAYER: Father, thank You for my children. May I always be conscience of the choices I make affecting me, my family, and others.

“Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. A man will reap exactly what he plants” Galatians 6:7 (NIV).

About Jarrod Spencer

Today’s devotional is by Jarrod Spencer. He is a seeker of God’s surprises in everyday life. He has a passion for encouraging people through the written word. You can read more of his writings at http://jarrodspencer.blogspot.com and visit his church’s website at www.colbychurch.com.
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