“The leaves are brown, and the sky is gray,” so goes yesterday’s song by the Mamas and the Papas. That is not true as I look out my window. The leaves have fallen. The ground is brown, but the sky is blue. Clear blue.
We live in a changing world. Things are never the same. Kids grow up, and adults muddle through life. When we get old, we worry about things, often wondering if we have changed our world for the better.
What are the priorities for our lives? Our time is limited. Twenty-four hours in a day. Three hundred sixty-five days in a year. No one knows the number of years we may live. As believers, we know only the things accomplished for Him will last. We have a head knowledge of that. Often our lives do not reflect what we thought.
What we know and what we practice sometimes are different. Ten years after we die, who will know we ever lived? In most cases, only family, a handful of friends, and maybe a few coworkers will remember.
If you are rich, you can leave a legacy of some sort. Building, scholarships, or plaques may bear your name. The readers only know your name, but not the real you. What makes a person stand out in memory? Usually, it is actions—ones of kindness or thoughtfulness. The Good Samaritan’s name is not in the Bible. His act of mercy has been written for generations to emulate. Peter and John said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you.” (Acts 3:6 NKJV)
Generosity makes lasting memories, which goes beyond monetary gifts. Eternal memories are here for the making. A cup of cold water given in the Lord’s name has eternal rewards (Mark 9:41).
Kind words and actions can reproduce in others for generations to come. You will never know this side of heaven what an encouraging word will do in another’s heart.
The bare trees have a long wait before being green again. The sky is still blue for all the world to see, so keep doing those kind things to help others have a great day.
