Doorpost of the Past

Legacy means a gift, something handed down. As I think about leaving my legacy and what will be passed down once I am gone, I can't help but think of the past as I reminisce of my childhood, marriage, family, career, etc. I begin to let my mind wander down memory lane. The journey is pleasurable, stopping along the way at great memories that make me smile, but then I change course.  I quickly move to a path that leads me to the missed opportunities, the regrets, the "wish I had" and "wish I hadn't"(s). But as soon as I allow my mind to go there, I hear this in my spirit:

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39

God covers all bases, all scenarios, all situations, all circumstances in this scripture. NO exceptions. There's NOTHING that we can do to separate ourselves from the love of God. Nothing that we have done or that has happened in our past that can keep us from the close, intimate relationship with God that He desires to have with us.

In order for us to move forward, to experience and fulfill our God-given purpose and begin leaving our legacy for our children, families and friends, we have to close the door to our past.  Shut that door for good!  There's no longer a reason to go in and out of that door.  I can recall when I was a little girl my Nannie saying "Shut that door!" when I would come in from playing outside because I was letting flies into the house.  I smile as I think of even now my husband telling me to "Shut that door" as I let all the cool air out :)  When we keep opening the door to the negatives of our past, we are letting the bad (flies) flood in and the good (cool air) rush out.  Instead, all we have to do is have that doorpost to remind us of what was and is now!  Inscribe on that doorpost that we are new creations in Christ, that we have been forgiven and our sins wiped clean as far as the east is from the west. With that freedom, we can begin to live a life worthy of leaving as a legacy. A life that is not limited and restrained because of our past, but a life that we are able to live boldly and passionately because of who we are in Christ!   A life that God (and our families) will be proud of and can say "Well done, good and a faithful servant."

A gift to help us start our brand new legacy today:

Though you cannot go back
and make a brand-new start, my friend.
Anyone can start from now
and make a brand-new end. - John Maxwell

"Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." Lam. 3:23