I was doing my morning prayer a few days back when this seemingly sublime quote really knocked me between the eyes, ” What gifts do you want to make to future generations through the life you are living now?

Wow, powerful huh?

It wasn’t asking what are you doing now for yourself or those you love. Or, what are you planning to do tomorrow to make a difference in your own life. No, it really is profound when you think about it and then really look at your own life and contemplate what positive, or negative impact your now is making on someone’s future. I suppose many might think life is not that interconnected and the little things I am doing today really aren’t even remembered next week. Perhaps, you are right in some respects. But, perhaps not.

Let’s see, what about me? I am doing my best through everyday efforts and relationship building to positively live a faithful witness to those in my sphere of influence. I try to live and act in the truth whether convenient or not. I have the privilege of working with many young engaged couples and do my utmost to encourage, challenge and call them to a higher understanding of what their public witness of love through married life demands. I pray for them, I pray for those I know and don’t know.

But is this statement speaking about something more? Something deeper and more impactful?

I like to think the life of a parent is pretty future orientated. As a mom of five young adults I can remember the early years when I would be out with the little circus and strangers would comment how I mustn’t know “what caused that” or  “them all yours” or other rude statements regarding their perspective of my “too many” children. My husband was always good about saying, “we are raising the next generation of upstanding citizens and tax payers. He was right too. All of our kids are hardworking, trustworthy, voting, tax paying citizens. They are good neighbors, safe drivers and volunteer occasionally to make a difference in their communities as well.  The efforts we made in their childhood have born great fruit that will hopefully affect generations to come.

So the short answer then for me is, I am doing my best day by day to somehow, in a way known only God to make a small positive impact for the future, mine and theirs.

Let’s hear what you are doing.