Their Legacy
After the investigations about the Titanic disaster were over, laws were passed to require enough lifeboats for every person on every ship.
The people who perished on the Titanic could not foresee that part of their legacy.
Perhaps their legacy also included their acts of selflessness, chivalry, and bravery witnessed and recounted by survivors. Or a living legacy in their children and grandchildren, philanthropy, business, and knowledge they had passed on to others in their lives.
I don’t know:
— How many of them had heirs, and worked to acquire wealth to pass down to their families.
— Which of them devoted their lives to helping others to leave a legacy of kindness and caring.
— The personal impact they had on others, whether they knew it or not.
But even though generations to follow didn’t know their names, the part of their legacy that spawned laws about lifeboats reverberates over a century later.
The people who perished could not foresee that the most terrible thing that ever happened to them would result in anything positive. That it would provide a sense of peace and security to travelers. And save countless lives.
My Legacy
I strive to be kind and caring, and to help others in the ways I can.
Sometimes people tell me the impact I’ve had on their lives. And other times, I perceive the impact I have — positive or negative — on the lives of others.
I don’t know if future generations will know my name, or even if anything I do will reverberate a century after I step into eternity.
And I realize it isn’t important for me to know any of that.
What is important, is that I do my best each day to ask God for help, and to do what He wants. I believe He will use my words and actions to help others, in His way and time.
And to me, that’s the only legacy that will ever matter.
What helps you build the legacy you want to leave?
Legacy – What helps you build the legacy you want to leave? Share on XJoni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.
May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.
You’re right, Joni. Doing our best each day and asking God to help is about all we can do. You have definitely made an impact on my life. I look forward to reading your blog each week to hear words of wisdom:)
Thank you, Jane. I am thankful for your support, wisdom, prayers, and friendship.
Thanks, Joni. Yes, I agree. That’s all we can do really. Do our best and ask God to help. Leave the rest to Him.
Thanks for reading and sharing, Tim. You have definitely encouraged and supported me as a friend and in my writing. I appreciate you!