A large Wooly Mammoth grazed its way across the Ohio Valley from Cincinnati, across Kentucky and into Missouri. It was a slow unhurried journey filled with few dangers as very few predators could take down this mighty beast. Maybe it was old age that finally took its life 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, or maybe it was something it ATE. Regardless, in 1979 these bones were discovered and are now on display for the world to see at the Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, MO.

There is no history of family, loved ones, oral or written that will describe the life this creature led before its death. All we have are the bones, and supposition and conjecture based on other bones that have been found all over the world. This creature has no say in what is said or thought about how it led its life. There are no epitath's or eulogies recorded. No one to stand up and say "He was the best uncle you could ever have. He would always bring eucalyptus leaves for the kids when he visited. He never married, had no children, but he was a volunteer at the Elephant Graveyard AND He threw the best parties!"

They find remnants like this all the time. Pieces of the past. Sometimes they have all the historical information and can tell you everything about what they found. Other times, like in the case of the Mammoth, its all speculative. They can tell you general facts but they can't be specific about this particular one.

It made me wonder. 10 to 12000 years from now, if there is anyone or anything left, and they find my bones, my possessions and such, what will it say about me? It made me wonder. 10 to 12000 years from now, if there is anyone or anything left, and they find my bones, my possessions and such, what will it say about me? How did I live my life? Was I a triple H? (Healthy Happy Holy) or triple EX? (Exhausted, Exasperated, Expensive) Was I a blessing a burden or a curse? Did my life have impact on others? Was I viewed as a person of integrity and spiritually grounded in my faith? Did I treat others the way I wanted to be treated? These are questions we should all ponder. We may say "I don't care what anybody thinks of me!" but what we are really saying is "I wish I knew what others said about me but I'm too scared to ask. I might not like what I hear!"

Jesus asked his disciples one day "Who do  men say that I am?" (Matthew 16:13-17)  He heard 'the son of man, Elijah, etc. He then asked, "But who do YOU say I am?" You can read the scripture and see that Peter responded first saying "you are the Christ."

It was important to Jesus that he knew and understood how men  perceived him. It was  not an ego thing, He just wanted to make sure that his deeds and words were being rightly perceived by people. This ensured that they were listening and getting exactly who and what he was. We should follow that example.

As we travel through this life, we will cross paths with many people. We have not only an opportunity but an obligation, whether you are 'spirchool'  or not, to make a good first impression. It may be the only opportunity you have to make a significant difference in someones life. We can flood them with mediocrity, or excellence!

I'm reminded of those T.V. commercials that show someone doing a random act of kindness. Unbeknownst to them, they were observed and it inspired the person who witnessed it to likewise act selflessly on someones behalf. This in turn inspired another person who saw them, do the same and it circled back around to the original person.

We need to have that kind of impact on everyone we meet. We never know when we might just be "entertaining angels".

We also need to be aware of how our family, our wives and children, view us. That doesn't mean we have to be perfect, because only Jesus was and is and ever will be THAT perfect. What it means is we must live our lives as examples in all areas. We are role models to our children. How we live. How we interact with people. How and WHAT we eat on a daily basis, all of this creates how our children perceive how they must live their lives in the world.

We must live our lives as examples in all areas. We are roll models to our children. How we live. How we interact with people. How and WHAT we eat on a daily basis, all of this creates how our children perceive how they must live their lives in the world.

We don't realize the impact our actions, words, and lives have on people we meet, embrace as friends, or are blessed to have as family. The mirror is just a reflection of the outer man. Sometimes, uncomfortable as it may seem to be, we have to stop and look inwardly to make sure we are living the life that speaks life into other people. If we can't "see" that, then we need to be courageous enough to ask a boss, or a wife, or someone we look up to these questions. "Who do people say that I am and who do  YOU say that I am. It may take a little squirming in our skin to make us realize that we need  to correct something that either we were or weren't aware of to insure that we are leaving a Living legacy for our children and the world to live by. Sometimes we may be the only Jesus they EVER see. Living by faith, seeking Gods will and direction in EVERY aspect of our life helps us live a life people would want to emulate. They recognize they want to be better people because of the  Christ-like example you were to them.

That would be a GRACE and STRENGTH LIFESTYLE LEGACY!

Pray Seek Believe Receive

David Michael Rose

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* Individual results may vary.