Do the words, "A Great Legacy" give you pause for a moment and excitedly make you want one? I know it does for me. So, where do I sign up? In this ever-changing world of ours and with the many distractions vying for our attention, and the attention of our children, is it any wonder that we can find ourselves preoccupied and distracted from what we really want in life?

  

I think the word, "legacy" begs the question, "Are you becoming more and more the person or parent you want to be?" While this is thought provoking at best, this also has me pleading with myself to not fall prey to complacency in my parenting. If we want to leave behind the best of ourselves, then we must live our best selves now.
 
For me, there is no higher calling than that of being a mom. I highly regard the awesome responsibility given me as I raise my own four children. It is a truly unique experience to all who hold the title. Parenting is a job encompassing such attributes as sacrifice, resilience, discipline, courage, strength, dedication, rewards, resolve, gratification, thanklessness, good judgment, lonesomeness, fulfillment, laudability, steadfastness, gratitude, heartbreaking, discerning and pure indescribable joy. Aren't these some of the very attributes out of which greatness is born? So, by realizing and utilizing what's already inside us, a Great Legacy can be yours for the taking.

  

I believe that Greatness is hidden in Simplicity. This is by no means to say that it is simple to be great. It's important to keep in mind that just because something is simple, doesn't mean that it is easy. Take weight loss for example, it's simple enough to follow a set directions for eating, but it's not easy. How about exercising? All you have to do is get to the gym and move, simple yes, easy no. While it's relatively simple to be a parent, being purposeful and intentional in your parenting is not so easy. Living in such a worthy way, however, will put you on the path that will lead you to a Great Legacy!

  

Getting a glimpse (we only get glimpses, right?) of my own legacy happened just last week.  My eighteen-year-old daughter and I were out for a walk together. We were chatting just about everything and anything that came to either one of our minds. When the topic of her exciting yet still unknown future came up, she told me that someday when she is a mom, she wants to raise her children the exact same way in which she was raised! Indeed a gift and of the best kind. My daughter decided that this was something she has come to value and eventually wants to pass on. Legacy is in the living now, and if it is valued, it will make its debut in the not so far future.

  

Me? Well, yes, I fell to my knees in utter thanksgiving! After all, I waited 18 years to hear those magical words!