Have you ever wondered how you’ll be remembered?
What type of legacy you’ll leave behind?
I have …
Forever, I’ve had a strong desire to make a
difference in the world. That yearning has been accompanied by wondering what
that’s supposed to mean for me.
As a teen, I dreamed of being a missionary in Africa
or part of a ministry reaching out to runaways on New York’s city streets.
Instead, I followed my parents’ wishes that I attend college before making any
decisions. While in school, I fell in love, got engaged, and was married three
weeks after graduation. My life took a drastically different path than what I’d
thought.
Although I loved being a wife and mother, I still
struggled for years with the same question. What was I supposed to do with my
life?
Of course, over the years I was involved with
different ministries and community outreach programs. But I still felt like I
was missing the mark.
Then, through a variety of circumstances, I was drawn
back into writing—something I’d always loved—and I discovered my calling. I found I
could touch people’s lives through the written word.
That led to discovering a knack and enjoyment for
editing other people’s work and helping them grow in their craft so they do
a better job of conveying what they have to share.
But I still have to work through some things … You
see, I’m quite driven and goal-oriented. First born—overachiever. Throw in a
profession where there is always more that could be done! I could easily work
seven days a week. Yeah … ask my husband about that. He’s always encouraging me
to take time out for rest and play.
One day I made a promise to myself. Unless it was
absolutely impossible, I would
always try to put other people and their needs first. Because I’ve stuck by that promise for years,
God has opened my eyes …
I may never have a million dollars to donate to
charity. I may never write a best-selling novel. But that’s okay, because some
of the most important things I can do to make a difference are to listen to,
pray for, and encourage those around me.
Now that I have a grandson, I’m very much aware of
the opportunity I have to influence his life and those of future grandchildren.
I want to share so many things with him—my faith, love of books, a hunger for
knowledge, and an appreciation for nature and creativity. I want to be a role
model of kindness and patience.
Maybe the only legacy I leave behind will be how I
love people … And that can be enough for me.
What about you? What will your legacy be? What do
you want it be?
Dawn
