Five of my eleven grandchildren entered the annual Grandparent’s Day writing contest atmy church. Contestants were to write about the greatest thing their grandparents ever taught them.
Well let’s just say that my little darlings wrote a whole lot, and gave no thought to the idea that some things are better kept within the family. What they wrote was both funny and poignant, but most of all sobering. I was reminded once again of the power of influence, and how each of us are leaving a mark on the next generation – whether we realize it or not.
Whose Marks Do You Bear?
Pause and think about who in your past has left their mark on you.Who influenced your temperament the most? Whose work ethic do you take after? What idiosyncrasies do you have that are just like your mother, father, aunt? Who introducedyou to your first bad habit?
The answers to those questions for me would be my mother, father, and grandfather. Their life’s mark is indelibly imprinted on my psyche, and as a result, I catch myself doing things like them whether I intend to or not.
For example, I think with my hand on my neck just like my mother does. I encourage others with silly notes and cards, just like my grandfather always has. And my dad comes out in me every time I receive poor service at a restaurant, because just like my dad, I feel it’s my duty to talk to the manager about it.
We all bear the marks of those who raised us. Many times those marks are edifying and helpful, but occasionally they are not. And when they are not it can be a difficult thing to overcome.
For me, taking on the generational imprint of the Lord Jesus Christ was particularly liberating. When I was buried with Him in baptism, I took on His name, and was grafted into His bloodline. (See Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:22) This afforded me the opportunity to better overcome my weaknesses and to strengthen my strengths.
What Marks Do You Want to Leave?
Think about the people in your life who have passed away. What mark did they leave? Look for the overiding theme in their life and you willfind their mark. Listen to what others say about them, and you will discover their mark.
Our mark is who we most are.
Are you generally loving and kind? That is your mark.
Do you find yourself yelling and screaming a lot? That is your mark.
Do you talk about others? That is your mark.
Whoever you most are that is your mark.
What mark will you be leaving to the next generation?