Legacy from fall
In the season of fall we’re blessed, once again, with the gift of nature’s amazing beauty. Trees and bushes cloak themselves in colors ranging from red, orange, yellow, and brown–and every hue between. Whether in the mountains or the city, we see evidence of the legacy from fall.
We’re not just gifted with the awesome view of foliage, bright azure skies, and the smell of pumpkin spice, fall provides us with a lesson of living–and of dying. For in the process of dying, new life emerges and existing life is nourished.
“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24)
Legacy from fall
Leaves which fall from trees leave a legacy for other trees. It’s family caring for family–individual trees and clusters care for the remaining forest.
We leave a legacy as well. We live the legacy–our actions become a role model for others. Our lives, our beliefs, our example of love and care for others impact those who see us now.
Are we a good or a bad example?
Do you have a hero, someone in your past who left you a legacy of love and an example of kindness? Who will remember us after we’re gone?
What will they remember?
Are we like the leaves? Will others remember us as helpful, kind, and loving? As they fall, leaves don’t examine the trees to decide which ones they to nourish. Leaves share the gift of love and sacrifice with every tree around them.
The gift of sacrifice
In the cycle of nature, fall leaves sacrifice their lives for the new leaves which appear in spring. As they decay, the old leaves nourish the soil to grant life and strength to other trees in their vicinity.
In the quote above from John 12:24, Jesus tells His disciples that He will die, but His legacy will be many lives saved. He is the gift of life. By His sacrifice, we are set free from the sting of death.
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
Our Legacy
But our calling is, in turn, to tell others about this great gift of love, our Savior’s sacrifice for us.
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law of Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. (Psalm 78:4-7)
I pray we can share the Light and Love of Jesus with our children and future generations–A legacy of love.
Great pictures and application, Katherine. Thank you.
Fall is so beautiful, isn’t it Diana? Our Father’s majestic “paintings” are everywhere for our enjoyment. We are so blessed by His Creation. Wishing you a great week.
Autumn is so beautiful. I, too, pray we share the light and love of Jesus to the next generations.
I agree, Priscilla, and the season seems even more lovely this year. May your week be filled with blessings!
Amen. Let’s share His love and light with all. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Thank you, Melissa, sending good wishes your way, too, for a week filled with joy. Thank you for sharing the light and love of Jesus with others.
I love “In the cycle of nature, fall leaves sacrifice their lives for the new leaves which appear in spring. As they decay, the old leaves nourish the soil to grant life and strength to other trees in their vicinity.” As a septuagenarian I am only too aware on the limited time I have left. My desire is I can as you said “share the Light and Love of Jesus with our children and future generations–A legacy of love.” I want to nourish not only my generation, my the one’s not a far along on life’s journey. Thank you, Katherine.
Thank you, Jimmie. As a member of your generation, I share that same hope that we can make a difference in the lives of our children and young adults by sharing the Light and Love of Jesus. Thank you, sir, for your ministry to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Your words and encouragement are a blessing to me and others. Thank you.
So much to ponder. When I was younger, I didn’t think of my legacy very often. Now, I frequently consider what my family, particularly my grandchildren, will remember when I’m gone. To be honest, legacy is one of the main motivators when it comes to my blog. I hope my faltering words and feeble attempts to express what God puts on my heart gives someone a glimpse of Hope, a morsel of truth. We all leave some kind of legacy. Thanks for the reminder to be intentional with the message I leave behind.
Like you, Terri, I’ve become more intentional in my “older” years about the legacy I leave behind for my family and those with whom I interact through my writing, my church, and my daily living. I’ve come to recognize the importance of a smile and a kind word to a stranger, or the encouragement offered to someone who is having a challenging day. Thank you for sharing Hope and Truth on your blog. We need that. Peace nad blessings.
A wonderful picture of the legacy we may leave for others and the ultimate sacrifice Jesus gave for us! Thank you!
Thank you for your kind encouragement, Kathy. I’m grateful for your ministry. Your informative and encouraging messages on your blog share the message of God’s gifts to His people and the Light and Love of Jesus. You make a difference! Blessings.
Like Terri, I’ve become more intentional with leaving a legacy of love for my grandchildren to follow. When our children are little, I think we’re just too busy to think much about a legacy. We just do the best we can to train them in the way they should go.
Great insight about fall and legacies!
Candyce, I’m grateful that you shared your thoughts. Like you, I was SO busy as a young parent, I had little time to think of my legacy. Of course, my children saw my work ethic (long hours) and my overachiever mentality (perfectionist), but they seem to be well-adjusted adults now, so I don’t think I messed up too badly. I’m so thankful for God’s guidance on the journey. I couldn’t have done it without him. Thank you for sharing, my friend. Wishing you a blessed week.
I pray that we will live lives that honor the Lord so that future generations make His name known.
Thank you Katherine. Our thoughts have been thinking on the same page! May we live in the light so that another generation sees Jesus clearly!