Westminster Abbey, London
“And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.”
Mark 8:34-35
Rousing tales of heroes saving damsels in distress, romantic tales of valor and sacrifice, or heart-warming stories of family, home, children, history—I just love a good story. All of my life, I have been able to lose myself in captivating tales.
Scripture is full of dramatic stories of bravery (David and Goliath), romance, (Ruth and Boaz), courage (Moses stepping into the Red Sea with a couple of million children, animals, adults screaming behind him, being chased by the strongest army ever known), and so many more. And of course, each of us is living a story.
Maybe yours doesn't feel exciting at this moment, or strategic in light of history. But most people who are considered heroes of the faith were normal people amidst normal life circumstances, who trusted God even when the others surrounding them were naysayers and could not see Him.
The story told about you in the future depends on the story you are living today.
In other words, the situation you find yourself in today, whether it requires excellence in morality, courageous endurance, faithful belief, or overcoming love, is the basis of your integrity or lack of integrity tomorrow. You cannot leave a story of faithfulness in the minds and hearts of your children, grandchildren, and others—tales of faithfulness and courage and moral character and discipline and sacrifice making a difference in your own family history—unless you actually live your story with faith, moral excellence, self-discipline, and sacrificial love today.
All of us love to hear great stories, and your children long to see you as their hero. How might the way you want to be remembered affect the way you live this day?
In our new book, The Lifegiving Parent, we talk about inspiring your children and filling their minds with the imagination of becoming someone living a great story for God's kingdom. You will be further inspired by the chapters we wrote about this in our book. This is a great gift to give to your husband or friend and to read together so you can shape your values toward the same end. Be blessed!
