My Legacy

By Chaplain Kurt Holm, Covenant Living at the Samarkand

Legacy is defined by the Webster Dictionary as, "a gift by will, especially of money or property". Wealth is what first comes to mind when I think of legacy. But another definition is "something transmitted by or received from a predecessor". Hmmmm. It seems that my legacy can go far beyond just my financial assets.

Everyone leaves a legacy. For good, bad, or even indifferent, we all leave footprints behind us. We will be remembered for our generosity or selfishness. Those who mourn us will talk about the ways we loved them, or the ways we neglected them. What will be your legacy?

Author Mark Batterson stirs my imagination of how and what my "legacy" might be in the lives of others.

"Legacy is not what you accomplish, but what others accomplish because of you."

Legacy is not only what I accomplish and acquire but how my life has influenced others to become who they are. I think of the old practice of carbon paper. You remember, what you write on is then transferred to another piece of paper - like magic. Our lives are like carbon paper.

Here's some "legacy" qualities I see on our campus:

• The love and commitment for 75 years in marriage
• The patience, care and sacrifice of a caregiving spouse
• The significant generosity of time, energy and resources to charity
• The faith that produces deep joy in all circumstances
• The rich blessing of lifelong friendships
• The service of tutoring and being an adult model to young school children

Oliver O'Donovan describes that "The task of the old… as a task of witness."

Barry Barken affirms that "An elder is a person whose work it is to synthesize wisdom from long life experiences and formulate this into a legacy for future generations."

We are challenged and inspired to live a rich legacy that makes a difference in our world. Your influence in the lives of others begins with your family and friends, your Covenant Living neighbors, your Church community and beyond.

My prayer is that of the psalmist:

Now that I am old and gray,
do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Psalm 71:18

The opportunity to leave the legacy I want is one day shorter than it was yesterday.