Last Sunday I was scheduled to speak at the annual AWSA Golden Scrolls Awards Banquet for writers, speakers, publishers, and others in the Christian Book Industry. Right before I got up to speak, the coordinators of the event paid tribute to one of their own that had just graduated from the dusty roads of earth to the glory of heaven.
Bonnie Keen sang a moving song while they showed pictures of our friend, Janice Chaffee, who seemed way too young and vivacious to truly be gone. Though the song was lovely what really captivated my heart was the empty podium on the stage. This podium just one year before had been occupied by Janice. She had surprised everyone last year by showing up with hugs, smiles, laughter, and a soldier's resolve from battling cancer for quite some time. She was sick and frail but determined to live her legacy well to the end.
Now the podium stood there with a microphone perfectly positioned for someone to speak... but no words were coming from the stage. As the song filled the room with words so appropriately describing Janice and her life, tears filled most of our eyes. Though her podium was silent the legacy of her life that we all carried in our hearts spoke loud and clear.
Lord, remind me of the legacy that I am building every day. May my actions and reactions never betray the woman you've called me to be. I pray that I am known for laughter, perspective, discernment, fun, faithfulness, integrity, and genuineness. Keep these characteristics always in the front of my mind so as life marches on, I stay the course toward the legacy I so desire. Lord, more than the words I ever speak from a podium, may the message of my life make You and those I love, smile.
Bonnie Keen sang a moving song while they showed pictures of our friend, Janice Chaffee, who seemed way too young and vivacious to truly be gone. Though the song was lovely what really captivated my heart was the empty podium on the stage. This podium just one year before had been occupied by Janice. She had surprised everyone last year by showing up with hugs, smiles, laughter, and a soldier's resolve from battling cancer for quite some time. She was sick and frail but determined to live her legacy well to the end.
Now the podium stood there with a microphone perfectly positioned for someone to speak... but no words were coming from the stage. As the song filled the room with words so appropriately describing Janice and her life, tears filled most of our eyes. Though her podium was silent the legacy of her life that we all carried in our hearts spoke loud and clear.
Lord, remind me of the legacy that I am building every day. May my actions and reactions never betray the woman you've called me to be. I pray that I am known for laughter, perspective, discernment, fun, faithfulness, integrity, and genuineness. Keep these characteristics always in the front of my mind so as life marches on, I stay the course toward the legacy I so desire. Lord, more than the words I ever speak from a podium, may the message of my life make You and those I love, smile.
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