Legacy

Legacy, It’s Our Time, Our Moment

/ Denis Baker / Leave a comment

Legacy word

We are but a speck in the moment of time situated between the past and future. We sit in the present. Every breath we breathe, every word we say, every decision we make; contributes to our legacy. Every single moment of every single day, we are creating the legacy we leave behind.

That scares me to death. However, it also creates an excitement deep within my soul. The time is now for us to create the legacy we want to leave.  

It’s our time, It’s our moment. Do something great!

We determine our legacy by our actions. However, legacy begets legacy and therefore what we do and how we do it, sets the stage for future legacies.  We all have our own lineage legacies that are the basis for who we are.  It is up to us to carry the torch or change for the future.  It is our moment and our time to shine.

We must influence others to change what is necessary to create a stronger legacy for the future.  We must be the example we want others to follow.

Albert Schweitzer said; “Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it’s the only thing.”

We build our legacy from who we are and who we’ve become.  It is reflected in our actions and our social footprint.  This begins with a deep respect for our deepest values. What is it we hold most sacred? What is our purpose here? What can we pass on or teach? What is our place?  The answers to these questions are determined by our character. Character is the mark left on us by life and will be the mark left on our legacy. It’s the impact we make while we are here and the trace we leave when we are gone.

Character is what defines us.  It’s what people see.  It’s what people will say about us when we are gone.  Character is one of the most important things we have.   Character is cultivated from of our faith, commitment and the responsibility we take for our actions.

John Wooden said, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while reputation is merely what others think you are.”

CONCLUSION

Our time is limited. Understanding that life is fragile and not guaranteed is crucial in the decisions we make and actions we take. I believe our greatest responsibility is to honor those who came before us and those who will come after. The legacy we leave will be reflected in the life we live. Our actions today will echo beyond our time, creating our legacy.

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My legacy

What Does “Dad” Look Like

/ Denis Baker / 1 Comment

IMG_5473Dad, Father, Pops are all the words used to described my Dad and myself.  As I sit in my “creative space” (office) on this Father’s Day, I thought I would share my thoughts on what a “Dad” looks like.

Here they are:

  1. Unconditional Love – As a dad, I realized early on in my daughter’s life the need for unconditional love.  Loving our children is a forever endeavor.  It is not something we bounce around based on what they do or say.  Dads must hold on tightly, even when the going gets tough.  We must love our children at their very best and their lowest low.  We must love regardless of situations and circumstances.  Our unconditional love will be an example that our children can build their lives upon with their families and those they come in contact with.  After all, we experience unconditional love through our Heavenly Father, Psalm 36:5 -7 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
  2. Encouragement – A dad must be a great encourager.  I still reflect back on my Dad’s encouragement while I was in the batter’s box, entering the work force, considering marriage and family and going back to college.  I loved encouraging my daughter throughout her life.  I love it even more now that she is married and has given me a grand daughter.  My goal is to provide sincere encouragement in all things of life through biblical principles.  I believe sincere encouragement gives hope.  Hope and encouragement go hand in hand.  There is no situation or circumstance that one can’t endure when encouragement and hope are sought from the Word of God.  Psalm 55:22, Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
  3. Relationship – A dad’s relationship with his children is one of the most defining attributes of a child’s character.  That relationship plays a very critical part of a child’s emotional well-being.   A dad who is affectionate, encouraging and involved in a child’s life creates a sense of well-being, good self-esteem, and a strong sense of character. I believe our relationship with our children creates a sense of love, trust and mutual respect.  When a child feels secure, loved and cherished, they will reciprocate the same to others.  “The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.” — Proverbs 23:24
  4. Influence – A dad has great influence on their children.  One must understand; however, the influence can be both good and bad.  As a dad, my desire was and is to always have a positive influence on my daughter.  My dad had an influence on me in may areas and ways. In fact his influence has gently driven my life and indirectly determined who I am and what I believe. Proverbs 113:30 says,“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
  5. Legacy – We will all leave something for our children.  The question is what is it?  A legacy isn’t something which we have no control over, but rather, we can choose the way in which our influence will remain once we’re gone. Like the shadow our character casts as we walk down the sidewalk, so too will our legacy follow us when we are gone.  The great basketball coach, John Wooden said,  “There is a choice you make in everything you do. So keep in mind that in the end, the choice you make, makes you.”  My constant prayer is that my choices would lead to a legacy of a deep love for the Word and things of God and the attributes of a solid, strong character. Deuteronomy 12:28 says, “careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.”

I thank the Lord every day for allowing me to be a dad.  I also thank him for my dad.  At the age of 82, I still listen to his words and heed his Godly wisdom.  I see a man who is still working to show unconditional love, working to build a relationship with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  13482971_10206370814733957_8132093746923670676_oHe continues to encourage me in everything and influence in the background.  Above all, I see a man that is striving to leave a legacy of love, character and a devotion to the things of God.

This is my prayer, that I may follow in his footsteps and be half the man he is.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL!