The Faith of a Quiet Sister

Recently I (Josh) have been reflecting a lot on the thought of legacy. What is it? What does it mean? What will mine look like? What do I need to be doing to make sure that the legacy I leave behind is one that is honoring to God?

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

This has never been made more clear to me than when traveling home from a recent business trip. I sat next to a woman who was very clearly battling cancer. Not knowing what to say or even how to engage her I just sat there. In the moments before take-off she pulled out a notebook and began scribbling down thoughts and messages about scripture. Psalms 3 was one she had scribbled down. And in that moment I thought, this is it! This is what it is all about. Even as this lady faced the uncertainty of cancer her focus and desire was to leave a legacy o her family that shined the light of Christ.

After that realization I retreated to my iPod and turned on a new album I had just purchased by Andrew Peterson called "Chasing Stars." The song that began to play was called, "Planting Trees." The lyrics just resonated with my soul so I thought I would include them here:

We chose the spot, we dug the hole
We laid the maples in the ground to have and hold
As Autumn falls to Winters sleep
We pray that somehow in the Spring
The roots grow deep

And many years from now
Long after we are gone
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless the dawn

He took a plane to Africa
He gathered up into his arms
An orphan son

So many years from now
Long after we are gone
This tree will spread its branches out
And bless the dawn

So sit down and write that letter
Sign up and join the fight
Sink in to all that matters
Step out into the light
Let go of all that's passing
Lift up the least of these
Lean into something lasting
Planting trees

She rises up as morning breaks
She moves among these rooms alone
Before we wake
And her heart is so full; it overflows
She waters us with love and the children grow

So many years from now
Long after we are gone
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless the dawn
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless someone

So I guess after all my pondering I have come to realize the only thing that matters about our legacy is how we shine the light of Christ into the darkness that surrounds.

Take 10 minutes and watch Andrew Peterson perform the song Planting Trees and talk about how it came about.