A Legacy that Matters
God makes every body matter.
This is one of the core legacies that I hope to pass on to
my children. I can still remember kneeling next to a young Crow Indian child
years ago, helping them to remember this verse: “I praise you because I am
fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are WONDERFUL, I know that full
well.” (Psalm 139:14)
I even and especially remember the emphasis on “wonderful”.
It is a special thing to share such an uplifting truth with
a child who is wearing the same clothes they have been wearing all week. A
child who slept last night at their grandparent’s house, the night before that
at a cousin’s, and the night before that at their friend’s house. The same
child whose local school serves lunches throughout the summer because he and most of his friends will not, otherwise, have much to eat until the new school
year begins.
That kid.
That child was/is a product of the deplorable poverty that
many of our Native Americans live in…right here in our country. A poverty that
was created many generations ago when that kid’s family ended up on land
“reserved” for them. (The land that was theirs first).
Despite his poverty, despite his sad history, that kid is fearfully and wonderfully made. He matters.
God makes that kid matter because God created that kid. And
God died for that little guy.
I think about that wonderful child, and many others whom I
met on my two summers of Youthworks Missions out on the reservations of
Montana. I think about those children every time my young kids come home from
school full of “education” for me about what the Plymouth Indians were like.
My heart twinges when I hear some of the things my kids are
learning. They are learning same thing, I imagine, as many kids are this time of year...broad-sweeping and mismatched details of several native
cultures mixed in together as if the details, and perhaps even the people, don’t
matter.
But they do matter. God makes everyone matter. We are
fearfully and wonderfully made. His works are WONDERFUL. Every last detail of
God’s works is wonderful indeed!
Perhaps it is time to take my little ones on a walk with me
down memory lane. Time to pull out my photo albums and introduce them to Pony
Boy, William, and the countless other children who grew up on proud stories of
Buffalo Hunts, fiercely loyal family clans, and a society, however seemingly
primitive, in which every body mattered.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
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Tea and Legacy
We’d meet at Mack’s, I think. It’s a simple little dinner in our former
hometown of Cairo, Illinois. She’d sit
across the booth, I imagine, and sip on an ice tea, no sweetener. In front of her would be a worn Bible with a
nondescript black cover. And in front of me would rest my own, looking almost
identical – except perhaps a little less worn.
I imagine her young, maybe 31, just like me. I would be taken by her beauty – wasn’t she
the great aunt who went to Hollywood to become an actress? Or maybe she had just dreamed about it.
We’d talk for a while about Cairo, of course. I’m sure she’d have many questions about how
it has changed since she had called it home.
It used to be a bustling little metropolis in its own right. And now, I would be explaining to her the
reasons behind its war-torn appearance.
I would ask her meticulously about the things she prayed for
in the town, and if she ever imagined a distant relative would call it home
someday as a missionary. I’d insist she
tell me everything she could about my Nana’s childhood and early marriage,
about meeting my dad for the first time.
I’d confess my clearest memory of her was a picture on my grandma’s wall
of her and her brothers. She was older
in the picture – heavy set with silver white hair pulled back in a bun. She’d smile as I reminisced the times my Nana
has spoken of her. “You’d never met anyone as sweet and kind as Aunt Alice. And oh, how she loved Jesus.”
“That was your great legacy,” I’d say looking straight into
her eyes, “that you loved Jesus. It is the one persistent fact that always
follows the mention of your name.”
And she’d nod, content, as if that was the only thing that
ever mattered.
I would peer at her left hand, no trace of a ring, and
wonder if she ever dreamed of being married.
She would catch my gaze, and the sight of my own left hand,
and lovingly remind, “Love hopes all things.”
“Were you disappointed?” I would sigh reaching for her hand.
She would sweetly squeeze my hand and tap her Bible, “Hope does not disappoint.”
Thursday, September 20, 2012
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A Conversation With My Great Grandchildren
Pursue wisdom. Your Great Grandfather and I have survived life's challenges by asking God for wisdom and living wisely. Wisdom is the secret to so many blessings. Make it your aim.
Rely on God's favor. The Lord's favor will take you places you could never get on your own. It's definitely been a game-changer so many times in my life. Dig into Scripture about the power of God's favor and never be afraid to ask Him for it.
Pray Often and Pray for Others. You're smart enough to understand that without explanation.
Love God. Love People. It's not just the title of one of my favorite songs, it's a powerful way of living. Love the Lord with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself.
Give Jesus Everything. Your heart, your time, your money, your talent, your life. He gave it all to you, so steward it well as you live for His glory.
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Tuesday, September 18, 2012
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The Memorial Ahead
As I considered all of that this year, I began to wonder about my own story. What will be said of me when I'm gone? How will friends and family remember me? Will my legacy be noteworthy? Will my contributions in this life be memorable?
Heavy questions, I know, but I invite you to ask them of yourself and see where it leads. May we find ourselves worthy of a noble memorial once we leave this Earth. May we find ourselves living a memorial-worthy life while we're here.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 1 Timothy 4:7
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Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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