“I even wash aluminum foil so I can use it again–if it’s not too messy,” joked a friend. “My son makes fun of me, but that’s what my mother did, and I just picked up the habit. Seems so wasteful to throw away a perfectly good piece of foil, just because it has a bit of goop on it.”
We were discussing the frugal habits passed down to us from our parents. They were children during the Great Depression, and learned to conserve, reuse, and make do. Now, eighty years later, the effects of that difficult time are still impacting many of us today.
Might the same effect occur in the spiritual realm? Might our spiritual habits not only impact those around us, but even generations to come?
An anonymous psalmist alluded to our long-reaching influence: “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed…his righteousness endures forever” (Psalm 112:1-3).
James Moffatt (1870-1944), theologian and professor, also spoke poetically of our ongoing influence: “Death is never the last word in the life of a…man. When a man leaves this world, be he righteous or unrighteous, he leaves something in the world. He may leave something that will grow and spread like a cancer or a poison, or he may leave something like the fragrance of perfume or a blossom of beauty that permeates the atmosphere with blessing.”
Who has left “something like the fragrance of perfume or a blossom of beauty” in your life? I am surrounded by the examples of:
- my grandparents’ perseverance
- my father’s wisdom
- my mother’s resiliency
- a favorite teacher’s sense of humor
- a choir director’s positive attitude
To name a few.
When I was a small child, our family’s pastor called each of us girls “Little Miss Sunshine.” I found myself trying to live up to the name. Now, decades later, I still feel the influence of his affirmation.
As a teenager I benefited greatly from the examples of various youth sponsors. One married couple in particular took me under their wings and mentored me. Their example of integrity, service, and caring, lived out in a loving home, remain with me to this day.
And so many more! We really are composites of the countless influences we’ve absorbed.
Now, it’s our turn to pass on a worthwhile legacy. We mustn’t give in to the notion that Generations X and Y will always find us irrelevant. One day they’ll realize older persons have the benefit of experience, and experience gives rise to wisdom. And whether we are present on that day or not, our example will be.
Most of what they absorb will not be the words we have spoken. They will remember our actions. Kids watch and learn–sometimes intentionally, but most of the time not.
We are the ones who need to be intentional, living out a legacy of character and faith, to be a perfume of blessing. If we do, the fragrance of our Christian maturity will permeate the atmosphere for years to come.
We can also be encouragers. Others will remember positive affirmations. At least one Little Miss Sunshine can attest to that.
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Please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
(Photo credits: www.jeaninemurk.com ; http://www.telegraph.co.uk ; http://www.inspiredwednesdays.blogspot.)
From the Inside Out 
I would like this to be the first “reblog” at Fragrant Grace. May I?
I would be honored, Jennifer! Thank you for the opportunity.
😀
Glad I read this on my friend, Jennifer’s reblog of this. It’s beautiful. 🙂
Blessings,
Heather
Thank you, Heather. I’m delighted you found it meaningful.
P.S. Love your name. We have a Heather in our family–our daughter!
Reblogged this on Fragrant Grace and commented:
This is one of my friends who shares lovely things. I hope you’ll enjoy this as much as I did.
My grandparents were Oklahomans during the most difficult of American history: the Depression and the Dust Bowl. My grandmother was frugal, and I wish I knew all the ways. Foil was one.
Enjoy!
~Jennifer
Again, thank you, Jennifer!
Thank you, Nancy, for this thought-provoking post. My husband and I are first generation Christians. We grew with good morals, but not knowing the importance of Jesus in our lives. I don’t have to look too far back, however, to find faithful Saints, who invested in my husband and I in our adult lives and showed us Jesus in tangible ways. I praise God for allowing us to be influenced as well as being “influencers” of others … even now 🙂
You’re right, Heidi, we’re the Sandwich Generation in more ways than one! And with you I praise God for special saints who continue to influence me, and the awesome privilege he gives me to influence others.
Your final photo of the little boy with his hand at his back just like the ‘big guys’, reminds me of how little ones play around the adults, seemingly out of earshot but really hearing every word and taking it all in. Wonderful picture and wonderful thoughts. Thank you.
Yes, it’s so easy to forget that “little pitchers have big ears!” Thank you so much, Grace, for stopping by and commenting.
“Who has left “something like the fragrance of perfume or a blossom of beauty” in your life?” That would be you and Steve for me. When I was younger, it was you two. God put you at Albright just for me although I know you did a lot of good in other peoples lives. Nancy Rouzer once told me, when I was 18/19 I don’t know how you grew up, not doing drugs or in the bad crowd, sleeping around, ect It was because you two came to Albright, spoke the word and lived the word. I would not be the person I am today (at all) if it weren’t for you two. Love you both!
Oh, Nancy, you have deeply blessed my heart, all the way to the bottom! Thank you for your kind, affirming words. I agree with Nancy Rouzer, that your life could have taken a turn down a dark road. But God had his protective hand upon you. And if he used Steve and me as instruments, well, we are honored and humbled. Love to you, too, my dear!
My Mom would have to be the single most important influence in my life. She grew up dirt poor and mistreated but still finds things in her past to remember joyfully. As if that weren’t enough…I might not know the Lord as my Savior if it were not for her. When she was around 20 she responded to her neighbor Ginny’s witness about Salvation. Mom had an open heart, accepted Christ…and in turn shared this Blessed Gift with me when I was five years old. I remember where I was…kneeling in front of the window seat…asking Jesus into my heart. Trickle-down Salvation is so important… I will be sharing parts of this blog on FB.
What a beautiful story! Praise God for the mothers and fathers who train up their children in the way they should go. I, too, am so thankful for my parents who lived out Christian values in our home. Thank you for sharing on FB!
I really liked your thoughts here. I’ll be giving it a pingback in April for my A-Z challenge. I think it fits into the Z post, but not sure….watch for it!
Gail @ Making Life An Art
I put it in the J (for Journals) post, so look for it April 11!
Thank you, Gayle. I’m honored that you chose this post to share with others!
What a beautiful post Nancy.
Thank you, Laura. I am honored and humbled when these posts touch people’s hearts. Praise God for his inspiration and guidance!