Kristi Pennington

The other day I was reading and came across a quote by Kenneth Boa that said, “The apostle Paul had two days on his calendar: today and that Day (the day that he would stand before the Lord), and he lived every today in the light of that Day.” That quote grabbed me. I began thinking about how much time I waste worrying about tomorrow and realized  I need to focus on today. I want to hear  God say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” The way I’m living today will also determine the kind of legacy I will leave to my children, grandchildren, and those in my sphere of influence. What kind of legacy do I want to leave? What is being transmitted from my life now that can make a difference for good in their lives even after I’m no longer here on this earth?

Many years ago  during a women’s retreat. we were challenged to write down the kind of legacy we wanted to leave. We then turned in what we wrote to the leader. She then, a few days later, mailed what we’d written to each of us. I reread what I wrote and then stuck it in a drawer. I dug out that envelope that held those words  this week. Reading them again was good for me and I realized that that list is  how I want to live each day. I was was also encouraged because I know I’m growing in these areas, although I haven’t perfected any of them and will not until that Day.

What did I write? First I wrote down a few things that I know don’t matter in the grand scheme of things and have nothing to do with  the kind of legacy I want to leave. Then, my list was written. I want my husband, children, and grandchildren to remember me as a woman who:

• Loves God, knows Him, delights in Him and spends time in His Word.
• Is a prayer warrior.
• Speaks words of truth, grace, wisdom, and doesn’t gossip.
• Is generous in the giving of time and money that meets needs.
• Is fun to be with.
• Makes others feel at ease.
• Works at loving unconditionally and doesn’t judge.
• Is not lazy.

My prayer today and one I want to practice lifting up all the days of my life is, “Teach me to number my days, that I may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12  I need God’s wisdom and help to grow.

All I have is today. That in itself is a gift.  May I live it to its fullest, live it in wisdom, live it in godliness.