Monday, July 4, 2011

What kind of legacy are you leaving?

Today in church, one of the teachers spoke of LEGACY, and asked  us what type of legacy we are leaving for our children and their children. It was an incredible lesson on the importance of learning and growing from the obstacles that come in our lives. Each one of them is to teach us something.

Then stories were read from some of the pioneers and what their trials and tribulations taught them in their life. Here is a poem that was written about the pioneers.

                They cut desire into short lengths
                And fed it to the hungry fire of courage.
                Long after -when the flames died -
                Molten gold gleamed in the ashes.
                They gathered it into bruised palms
                And handed it to their children
                And their children’s children.  ~ Vilate Chamberlain Raile

This poem reminds me of the scripture in 1st Peter 1:7 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire....

I think that is so true, just like the poem talked about the experiences that we have that are from trials and problems, if we learn and grow from them, if we stay hopeful and rely on the Lord, if we don't give up but keep going...that is the GOLD that we are going to pass down to our children and our children's children.
We have talked about this subject often in our home during some of the trials that we have gone through. I have asked myself as a Mother, have I taught the kids to be strong, courageous and faithful? Have I taught them to rely on the Lord for strength, courage and hope? Do they know that no matter what happens to them in life ...that they can handle it ( with the Lord's help) ?

Life is hard and I personally know that some times things look too BIG for me to handle, I cry and get scared, I get discouraged and doubtful. I know my kids have seen me go through these feelings, but the real question is...will they remember that I got back up, said my prayers, asked our Savior to help me carry my burdens; and did I show them that I was stronger and better because of what I learned along the way? I pray that I have and that I will continue to do so.
It was a great lesson for our family today.
Good night dear friends!

 

"The choices we make about the lives we live determine the kinds of legacies we leave."  ~ Tavis Smiley 

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." ~Anonymous

“We know that women who have deep appreciation for the past will be concerned about shaping a righteous future.”  ~ Spencer W. Kimball

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