Who do you remember as having a significant impact on your life?

Was it an influence for good or for ill? I have memories of both. As you think of the people who come to mind, consider what you want people to recall about you.

Google defines legacy as “the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.”

Charlie Kirk gave a very clear answer to how he wanted to be remembered in this Instagram reel.

Whose legacy has impacted you in a positive way?

Here are some that come to my mind.

Mary, for her submission when the angel told her she would bear a child who would take the sin of the world. She knew she would face suspicion for being pregnant and unmarried, but she trusted and obeyed God with a willing heart.

Solomon, for wisdom. He wasn’t perfect either. His wisdom was recognized throughout the known world. However, as he aged, he began taking wives who didn’t believe in the God who was the source of his wisdom. They pulled him away from God, giving us insights into the consequences of compromising our spiritual values for personal desires or some other gain.

David, “a man after God’s own heart.” Was he perfect? Absolutely not. He saw a beautiful woman bathing on the roof, brought her to the palace, and slept with her. And if that wasn’t enough, when she became pregnant, he had her husband killed in battle so the husband wouldn’t suspect her infidelity and the fatherhood of her coming child.

Image credit: Freepik

Mother Teresa, for compassion, humility, and service to the poor.  While she was heralded by many with power and wealth, she took a vow of poverty to live and work among the poorest of the poor. She shared in their poverty and ministered to them as Jesus would. Throughout her life she never turned away from her commitment to God and the poor.

“They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”

—The Apostle Paul in Galatians 2:10

One of the thieves on the cross beside Jesus said, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42). And Jesus promised the criminal would be with Him in paradise that same day.

Abraham Lincoln, for his honesty, and for bringing an end to slavery in this country. (And William Wilberforce, who helped end the slave trade in Britain.)

Influences from my own life

My father, for believing I could be and do anything I wanted to, and for loving and disciplining me well, always with the statement that he wanted me to learn to obey God and my parents.

And my mother, a gracious, kind woman who taught me to cook, sew, dress for my body type, and who modeled a deep love for Jesus Christ. Both of them, for modeling a loving family.

(For more about my relationship with my dad, see Dear Dad, Happy Father’s Day)

A high school English teacher, who challenged me in new ways and encouraged me through the essays I wrote, one a psychological profile of Lady Macbeth (and yes, there’s a wealth of information about this fictional character).

Another teacher who talked with me after I’d failed a test. She knew this was not my norm. As we looked at the test together, we realized I had deliberately “x’d” the wrong answer on the True/False section, leaving the correct answer showing clearly. When she rescored me with this understanding, I passed well.

These few examples speak to a legacy left by each of these individuals and others. We express thanks for those, including my darling husband, who helped keep our country free on special dates such as Memorial Day, grateful for the service many of those we love gave, sometimes with the final sacrifice of their lives.

What will my legacy be? Yours?

I’m encouraged that none of these examples was perfect. Yet God used them in my life, and He can use an imperfect me in others’ lives as I look for opportunities to love, encourage, and serve others.

What do you think yours will be?

In his article, The One Question That Should Guide Your Daily Life: “How Do I Want to be Remembered?”, Omar Itani writes:

“ . . . The meaning of life is less about how much we accomplish in this world (the destination) and more about how present, content, and connected we are to our truest selves and everything else around us (the journey). It’s also less about the work we do and more about how deeply our actions touch the lives of others.”

The believers in Philippi understood this, as evidenced by Paul’s epistle to them.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

—Philippians 1:3-6

Wouldn’t you like your legacy to be one of faith, hope, encouragement, and service? I would.

Who has impacted your life through their legacy?

What legacy would you like to leave for those who follow you?

Please share your thoughts in the comments; I love hearing from you.