Beyond Common Sense

Do you know the names of all your grandparents?  Could you name all your great-grandparents?  (Our daughter is named after two of her great-great grandmothers; however, after we settled on her name, we found out that my great-grandmother Jenny Zeafle’s real name was Sarah!)

I was asked these questions several years ago during a sermon, and the point was that most of us could not do the latter. That we don’t even know the names of people that are intimately involved in our being here really puts life into prospective!

I am frequently told that I look just like my mother.  What their actually saying is that we both look like Weebles – you remember those cute little short ROUND characters and their slogan: “Weebles wobble but they won’t fall down.”  (Unfortunately, the falling down part isn’t true, right Mom? :))

I often heard my mom talk about her grandmother and what a sweet lady she was.  I can believe it, because her daughter, my grandmother was a sweet lady and I can say the same thing about her daughter!  We all have characteristics that we have inherited: some good, some bad; some liked, and some unliked!  But this blog is especially dedicated to another legacy – a spiritual legacy.

Dr. Don Smith passed away this week, and for most of you, that name means nothing.  He was our pastor for six years – six very important years.  We were just beginning a new path and had lots of questions!  Pastor Smith shepherded us through those searching times, feeding us on the pure Word of God.  It was under his influence that my husband felt the call to the ministry. In a very real sense, we are part of his living legacy, as are so many others.  His life reflected what he preached from the pulpit.

If I could share just one sweet memory…  I was due any day with our first son, and it must have been that spurt of energy they often mention that happens right before delivery; because, that Saturday afternoon, I made a lemon meringue pie – Pastor Smith’s favorite!  I had planned to bring it to church the following day, but God had other plans!  Labor started about five o’clock that morning, so we dropped the pie off on our way to my sister’s house (who lived much closer to the hospital).  Why did I do that, because this man was much more than just a pastor!  People who live for God have such an effect on our lives!  They shine so brightly that we are drawn to their light, just the way a moth is drawn to physical light.

What is your living legacy?  Dear young mother, those precious little gems will be your living legacy.  Don’t be afraid to “cut” out the good in order that they will reflect the “True Light” with God’s best.  And they will also need to be “buffed” once and a while! Proverbs 29:15 says, “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. Set them in a beautiful setting: surround them with godly influences (mostly your own!), and one day they will “rise up, and call [you] blessed.” (Prov. 31:28)

It’s not a hard task; you don’t need to be great or do great things – you just have to shine!

(photo credit: beinggreen)