I jumped from the ledge. The trip down ended suddenly as I splashed down into the mud and water. I was finally able to work my way out. Where I had fallen to was still imprinted with my “image” and remained that way for several days.

I think a lot about what I do and how it affects others. I do not “worry” about it or really think about it. I just know it to be a truth. You most likely will touch people in the process of doing life!

From my book Interrupted Process, ”Where do these connections come from? How do they get here? Who knows? I am often in contemplation about the connections that come about in one’s life. I think about how many connections I might make over time. Say over 90 years. 90 years times 365 days equals 32,850 days. If you “met” 5 people a day that number quickly would become 164,250 people. ”

Sometimes I make mistakes and I work hard to resolve it. (The other day I thought the president of a company was the IT guy…)

I think a lot about impact, impressions and legacy. My jump, left an impression. A legacy of my having “been there”.

“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”-Shannon L. Alder

Legacy is often described as what you receive after someone’s death. Interestingly enough in the industry, I work in we often talk about “legacy”equipment or software. It is a product that is past its prime but because of its foot print(influence) in the marketplace it is difficult to replace because of its usage.

As believers I think we need to express our belief and our relationship in such a manner and method if you will will, that it makes it difficult, if not nearly impossible to “replace” it with something else. We know He is good and we know He is great. Allow Him to work through our lives in such manner that people want what we have. Not the structure or the building but the relationship!

We are the people of God. It is up to us to leave value where we are, where we are going. To leave a footprint of goodness and love. We shape legacy (Usually related to culture while heritage connotes money or property.) each and every day we move through life. The waitress, the clerk or the teller. The person in the park or in the store. How we handle our money, walk with our children, treat our spouse or children, all release an impression or footprint in the earth.

I do not believe you have to leave this earth to leave legacy, to shape culture or impact people. If you are waiting for some time, today is as good as any!

Legacy is often defined as something that will spread to people or to provide something freely and naturally. Did not we see in the scripture Matthew 10:8 “Freely you have received; freely give”? We did not pay for what we have with God. As a matter of fact we could not have. (And for those still trying, stop and enjoy Him!)

When I walk with my grandchildren, I realize it is more about sharing what I have learned, not just what I have earned. It is in offering myself and making a meaningful, lasting and energizing contribution to humanity by serving a cause greater than my own.

How will you or I do this? We have to decide who we are and who we are made to be. It is my uniqueness and understanding created by God that give me something of value to impart. That my life might be a gift all I come in contact with. That it will outlive my time in a given place or season.(I did not say you have to die…)

The idea of legacy ought to stir us to an understanding that we have a footprint. Some surfaces(Spelled P-E-O-P-L-E) have a harder surface than another and we may feel we have not made an impression, but even cement or asphalt records your footstep or your travel. If for no other reason that He goes with us!

Each and everything we say or do is deposited in our legacy or our realm of influence. When you see this, you begin to see that each action ripples across humanity changing our society.

It may be politics or adventure, business or family, but it is important to know that on the way you are leaving footprints.

I challenge you to think about that. I was headed to bed last night and a picture of a young friend appeared. As she bounced place to place she left a footprint. I knew I must say something and I will.

Essentially my message to her and others is this. What are you thinking? You are better than that! You have all of Him from within.

Today, we get to make an impression. Each day is a first impression in some respect or another. The day to turn over a new leaf, to get our eyes focused on Him.

Whatever God has placed inside of you has value. It is time to release it to the family, the community and to the nations.