The Day My Mother Died... And What She Left Behind - Katie Deal
When I was eleven years old my mum passed away. One of the most impacting quotes I’ve ever read was given to me in a sympathy card.
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”
It made me think, ponder, imagine... If I were to pass away who would be impacted by my life? What footprint or mark would I have left on their hearts? Would it be the same amazing footprint my mum left on me? or was my influence in this world different to what I wanted it to be?
Many years have passed since that moment, but the truth remains. Each and every one of us is called to leave a mark, a legacy, a footprint on the hearts of those around us.
Every interaction we have with the people around us will either leave an imprint or a stain. There are impressions that leave encouragement, hope and life. There are stains that leave pain, resentment, bitterness, anger.
The Bible says ‘Words are powerful’. Our words have the power to destroy and the power to build up. (Proverbs 12:6 ESV). “The tongue has the power of life and death”. (Proverbs 18:21 ESV).
Every word you speak carries tremendous weight. With them you can build up or cut down. You can imprison or empower. Wow, imagine being a person that is constantly speaking LIFE over people and the imprint you could be leaving!
You never know who’s watching you. You never know who you might be impacting. In your workplace, in your study space, with family, friends or even strangers. Every single day we have the opportunity at our fingertips to live like Jesus did and love others like He loves us!
I love seeing posts on social media of someone witnessing a random act of kindness and expressing how it has given them “faith in humanity again”. People are drawn to that - they are attracted to the GOD in us!
“Let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."
1 John 3:18
You don’t have to be famous, wealthy or influential to leave an imprint on someone. You can show compassion to that child in your class, showing kindness to the cashier, understanding to that nurse in hospital. Leaving a footprint doesn’t happen on a platform, it happens in the everyday opportunities that God gives us.
Jesus says in Matthew 25:40 - “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
There is a mark of eternity in each and everyone of us. “God has set eternity in the human heart”. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV)
It’s up to us to help awaken eternity within people and ultimately point them towards Jesus who made the biggest imprint of all in this world!
So what footprints are you leaving on the hearts around you?
Written by Katie Deal
Katie is married to Jono and has a beautiful daughter named Maddi. She lives in Perth and is on team at Kingdomcity.