The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy. Kalu Ndukwe Kalu
I've talked about legacies before. It's a favorite topic of mine and something I think about often. I think about it as I get older and people in my life start to pass on and I go to their memorial services and listen to what is said about them. What is said about them when they are gone indicates what kind of legacy they have left behind. Yesterday (Saturday) I attended the memorial service of an old co-worker who, in perfect health, passed away very suddenly last week. We all were shocked, stunned, and at a loss as to how and why he passed. His family is so heartbroken. But they gave beautiful tributes to the legacy he left behind. He was a good Dad, a good man that had strong work ethic and integrity, a dedicated and loving husband for the length of his wife's days (she passed a few years ago from a horrible disease). He modeled Philippians 2:1-5. He was known for doing for others before doing for himself. And because of that he leaves behind a legacy that will be carried out through his son and daughter and their families. See, what we do to further ourselves, to protect ourselves, to see ourselves gain will dissipate with time and will only serve to leave behind the memory of selfishness. But what we do to further others, to protect others, to see others succeed will be a model for others to follow and will continue on long after we are gone from this life. I don't know about you but I'd rather be known once I leave this life for modeling Philippians 2:1-5 than for being selfish and self-absorbed.
I've talked about legacies before. It's a favorite topic of mine and something I think about often. I think about it as I get older and people in my life start to pass on and I go to their memorial services and listen to what is said about them. What is said about them when they are gone indicates what kind of legacy they have left behind. Yesterday (Saturday) I attended the memorial service of an old co-worker who, in perfect health, passed away very suddenly last week. We all were shocked, stunned, and at a loss as to how and why he passed. His family is so heartbroken. But they gave beautiful tributes to the legacy he left behind. He was a good Dad, a good man that had strong work ethic and integrity, a dedicated and loving husband for the length of his wife's days (she passed a few years ago from a horrible disease). He modeled Philippians 2:1-5. He was known for doing for others before doing for himself. And because of that he leaves behind a legacy that will be carried out through his son and daughter and their families. See, what we do to further ourselves, to protect ourselves, to see ourselves gain will dissipate with time and will only serve to leave behind the memory of selfishness. But what we do to further others, to protect others, to see others succeed will be a model for others to follow and will continue on long after we are gone from this life. I don't know about you but I'd rather be known once I leave this life for modeling Philippians 2:1-5 than for being selfish and self-absorbed.
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