Legacy

I recently had the privilege of attending a 25th anniversary gathering for one of my co-workers. 25 years with the same company is a long time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics noted in a 2008 study that baby boomers, on average, held about 11 different jobs between the ages of 18 and 42. Longevity on a job indicates many things—dedication, hard work, consistently producing good results, respect of your supervisors and peers, and much more. One of my favorite memories of this co-worker goes all the way back to when I first started with the company 12 ½ years ago. I was fresh out of college, didn’t know the first thing about the industry, and felt like I was constantly turning to co-workers for help. As with anything you are new at, you tend to draw yourself to those who are helpful--not just helpful, gladly helpful. There’s nothing more frustrating than when you start something new and you feel like you are a burden to those around you, so when someone is gladly helpful, that is a huge blessing.

I always get sentimental at these kinds of events with all the talk about accomplishments, favorite memories, and the passage of time. They make me ask myself—“What kind of a legacy am I leaving? What will people say about me some day when I retire? When I die?" And that’s really the challenge for all of us. Life is so fleeting, so temporary. What are we doing on a daily basis in the lives of our co-workers, family, and friends that REALLY makes a difference? We should make it our goal to do something nice every day—even if it’s just gladly giving helpful advice or encouragement to a friend or co-worker. After all, the gospel—the good news of Christ—can’t be effective if we don’t show our love to others. And that’s really what life is all about—sharing the gospel, and making a difference in the lives of others. That’s the kind of legacy we should all aim for.