Legacy

I am a blessed girl. A “this is ridiculous, is this my life?, no wonder people want my family” kind of blessed. I am reminded of the influence and power one person can have over a family. My family would not be where we are if it wasn't for my grandparents. They set that foundation and we are reaping the benefits. This past weekend I had the privilege of attending a conference that centered around leaving a legacy and making that foundation for Christ. Sometimes we are born into darker legacies, while others can be a bit brighter. What was special about this particular conference more than most, was my Grandma (MawMaw we call her) was speaking. And, get this, she asked me to speak with her. (I know. Weird right?). Over all it was a great weekend with some come-to-Jesus moments myself. Including the realization that it is my own responsibility of choosing to what legacy I will leave. We all have one- whether we change the pattern of desolation or we continue in the glory of Christ- is up to us.

We didn't have to carry on the spiritual inheritance. We could have bucked the system, killed the legacy and done our own thing. But God blessed my siblings and me with good parents that took that legacy and passed it on to us. They are praying, sacrificing, encouraging parents who legitimately just want the best for all their kids (the adopted friends included). They want us to know that, more than anything that this world has to offer, we need to know that God has a better plan that surpasses all that we can imagine. That all of us can own that and do something with it. To discover  that we need to develop our own relationship with Jesus- which takes time and intensity and will ultimately pave the road of my own legacy, ready to be passed to others.

So, as I was sitting in the front pew of the church I was dedicated in as a baby, listening to my MawMaw talk, I was overwhelmed by the legacy I get to carry on. I don't have to, but joy comes from walking in His word and following that obedience. It wont be easy—listening to  her testimony is a reminder of that. I also know I wouldn't want it any other way.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
 Because the Lord has anointed Me
 To preach good tidings to the poor;
 He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
 To proclaim liberty to the captives,
 And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, 
And the day of vengeance of our God;
 To comfort all who mourn,
 To console those who mourn in Zion, 
To give them beauty for ashes, 
The oil of joy for mourning,
 The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
 That they may be called trees of righteousness,
 The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
And they shall rebuild the old ruins,
They shall raise up the former desolations,
 And they shall repair the ruined cities,
 The desolations of many generations.” Isaiah 61:1-4