Legacy
Photo credit JG Koehnemann

Legacy

As we fast approach the new year, only 13 hours away now from 2020 I wanted to opine a bit about what it means to me to leave a legacy.

This past Christmas time, my daughter-in-law (I don't like the term but must use it to distinguish her for those who might care) Nicky asked me what was my favorite part of being a grandpa. I thought for a brief moment and said without hesitation that it was looking into the face of my grandson and seeing my name passed down through the generations. I love looking at my grandson and seeing my son (his father) and knowing that the things I taught Zach will likely be passed down now to Oliver. From father, to son, to grandson and so on. What an extraordinary thing this is to give over not just genetically to the generations that follow you but also by means of nurture. And this is what I wanted to bend your ear about for a just a few more sentences as long as you are taking the time to read.

Looking into the eyes of my grandsons, I have often wondered the men they will become and how that has a lot to do with the man God has made me. What distinguishing things, what lasting things have I passed on to both Zach and to our daughter Jenna that they will now pass along to Oliver and Jayden. Will they stand the test of time? Will one day my grandsons hold their grand children and while looking into their eyes think back and thank me for the man I once was? Here is what I hope that thought is full of.

That they will remember I was a man of true faith. Not a counterfeit faith where when things don't go my way I blame God and quit following after Him because of my circumstances. I pray this will be the case, for this is a legacy worth passing on.

That they remember me fondly as a man who was gentle, kind and full of love. That they too were treated with dignity and respect as a child of God. Will they say to their grandchildren one day that it is because of my grandfather and father and mother that they are greatly loved. Will they say it is because God first loved them that they are able to pass on a legacy of love. I hope so, this would truly be the legacy I would want to be remembered for.

That they remember me not for how much and how hard that I worked, even though this is honorable. But instead they remember me as the man who would sacrifice what the world thought was important for the things God thinks are important. That one day my grandchildren holding their own grandchildren will know the meaning of sacrifice and they will know it because Jesus first taught their grandpa and he taught their dad and mom what it means to be selfless. This too might well be a legacy to memorialized for.

To keep to my word of just a few sentences, I will close with this as you and I enter the new year with anticipation. This year, what will you be remembered for? Will you take the time this year to live by faith, to love like never before and to sacrifice for the well being of others around you? I have a feeling that if the answer is yes then whatever your hopes and dreams for this coming year are that you will find yourself at peace with life and this in and of itself is a rare commodity. Blessings on the new year my friend. Here's to leaving a lasting legacy!

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Shawn Banzhaf, MA的更多文章

  • In search of value: A Treks for Vets story

    In search of value: A Treks for Vets story

    Over the past couple of weeks I have been taking an informal poll of self worth from some veterans I have been working…

  • Woman

    Woman

    I remember writing a blog on MySpace back in 2006 from my "Tin Can" while in the Anbar province of Iraq. I think I…

    4 条评论
  • All we need is L.O.V.E.

    All we need is L.O.V.E.

    L-isten to the hearts of people 2020 could be the worst year on record for most of us for sure! Can I tell you that…

    1 条评论
  • Can you imagine?

    Can you imagine?

    Can you imagine that every time you go to the local court house or public square in your home town you are essentially…

  • Dead Wrong

    Dead Wrong

    Race and therefore racism is white person created and it must be eradicated by white people. Not in some sort of savior…

  • What I have learned during COVID-19

    What I have learned during COVID-19

    People are complex. Personally, I have gone through a gamut of emotions over the past few months.

    9 条评论
  • Never Forgotten

    Never Forgotten

    Rest in Peace Outlaw. I write that or speak that each year on this day.

    1 条评论
  • Ode to Coach

    Ode to Coach

    If you have known me for any amount of time you know that I am a pretty nostalgic guy. I kind of remember a lot of…

    1 条评论
  • What an unexpected blessing

    What an unexpected blessing

    Last Friday as I was preparing to shut down at my office a team of people blessed my socks off! I looked at my inbox…

  • Huts for Vets: A comeback story

    Huts for Vets: A comeback story

    A year ago I wrote an article for my LinkedIn friends about my "near death" experience in Aspen Colorado. Read it here…

    4 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了