Legacy

Kimberly Kay Hight.

Kim.

Kimbo.

Kimmy Kay.

Kimmy.

Kim Jimerson.

Mrs. Kim.

Momma.

Mrs. Jimerson.

Kimjim.

Kimberly.

and the latest, Kim-er-gins (thanks to Jordan & Raeann!)

These are all names I've heard throughout the years of.....well, throughout the years of being...ME! What do people call you? What do they THINK of when they hear your name? What do people think of when they hear MY name? I hope they think good things! I'm sure you hope the same about yourself. We all want to be a good example (or at least I HOPE you do too) to all of those around us. As you know, with Michael being a youth minister, we have so many kids that we call 'our kids,' who watch everything we do. You have people who watch every move you make too. Is that a good thing?? Or do we need to make some changes?!!

What do our children, families & friends think of when they hear our name? Ask them! Their answers may be quite revealing! Kaylee brought home a mother's day card she had made in school last year. She had written this:

Kim

pretty, wonderful,

loving, kissing, hugging

I love you,

Mom

Yes, that just really made my heart smile! Those are the things she thought of when she was making the card for me. I got a note on facebook from one of my 'other kids' one day that ended with "Love you favorite one," And that made my heart smile too. It's a little "insider," but doesn't it make you feel good when we know people love us and think good things about us?? Of course, the card Kaylee made was for Mother's Day, so it HAD to say nice things!!

But what do our children, families & friends think of us on the days when they don't HAVE to be nice?! Do they think

(Your name)

mean, unthankful, angry,

bad mouthed, sorry attitude,

talks about everybody & always loses her temper,

grouch.

Every day we are leaving fingerprints on those who are around us. What do we want our kids to think of when they think about their parents? What do want our families to think of when they think about their daughter, son, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or cousin? What do we want our friends to think of when they think about their friends?

Do we want them to think we are someone who loses our temper quickly and they never know what to expect from us? Or someone who says they'll do one thing, but ends up never doing it? Do we want them to see that we are someone who is easily angered or someone who is gentle and kind? Do we want others to see us as someone who is permanently attached to a phone, book, computer, job or other 'things,' or someone who is there for every big and small moment in their life no matter what? Do we want them to see a person who goes to church on Sundays & Wednesdays, but doesn't act like it on the weekends or during the rest of the week? Or would you rather them see you in church on Sundays & Wednesdays, and also see that you live for Christ throughout the entire week?

Every day, our words and actions are being watched. Every day, those words and actions are developing a legacy that will be passed on in the character of our children and others around us. What's a legacy, you ask?

Legacy - something handed down.

What are you handing down? What kind of legacy will you leave?

"I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering. A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically, and leave that kind of legacy." Legacy by Nichole Nordeman

"The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections into the lives of others." - Thomas Jefferson

Yes, we work with youth. We have lots of kids that we pour our heart into every day, whether it's Brayden & Kaylee or some of "our other kids." And we LOVE it. So it's easy for us to say that we're setting examples in the lives of others, and we pray that we show them the example that God would have us show.

But there's also people in your every day life that you're setting an example for as well. You're pouring your life into them whether you know it or not. People watch people. They see each of us in the good times and they see us in the bad times. They watch how we respond to stressful or hurtful situations, and they LEARN from it. Are we teaching them to be the way God would want us to be? Or are we showing them and teaching them the way satan would have us to act?

Some of the happiest moments your heart could know can be when your pouring your love and your life into others. We can truly have a 'happy heart' if we allow God to use us to leave a legacy worth leaving. A legacy that points to Him and blesses His name unapologetically.

Life..... What kind of life you live today will be the legacy you leave behind.There's no dress rehearsal!! We're living the real live performance right this very minute. You can't go back and re-do things. Live each day like there's no tomorrow!! And be an example that you won't regret even if someone grows up to be 'just like you!'

So....what do people think of when they hear your name?

Deutoronomy 6:5-9 NLT

"And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."