A LASTING LEGACY — Amadi E. Leaks

Leaving A Lasting Legacy……

Greetings my friends. Another decade is now behind us just like that! OMG – Can you believe it? I have some important encouragement for you to start off your new 2020 year! (Smile) So, if you have children, siblings who you are responsible for and or family members you care for – this message is made just for you. The subject on my heart today is “Leaving a Lasting Legacy”. On January 1, 2019, I decided to join a 30 day bible journaling challenge led by Heather Lindsey of Pinky Promise, not realizing the impact it would have on me personally and my two daughters. You see I have always studied my bible, made key highlights and even taken notes - but there was something very different about this decision. For starters, even before the 30 day challenge had ended, the Holy Spirit ushered me to continue for the entire year! Oh yes that is 365 days – I know you are probably thinking what I thought at the time – how am I going to find enough time in the day with everything going on in life to intentionally get this done well? Let me tell you, I am a living, breathing witness here to share the impact of this decision has been nothing short of amazing for me personally and in the lives of my girls. When I initially started the bible journaling challenge – I would begin by praying and opening the bible to where I felt the Holy Spirit was leading me to study and by mid-January – I was studying/journaling based upon entire books in the bible. For example on January 12, 2019, I began studying the book of 1 Kings in its entirety. My personal study/journaling time consisted of listening to worship music, reading the passages, taking notes, writing personal reflections and finally writing a prayer to God for me and my family. It’s not that I had not read these books in the past but every time we intentionally get into the presence of our Father – he releases new revelations/perspectives and even wisdom based on his Holy word.

*Now to be totally transparent, the decision to bible journal for the entire 2019 year often led me to disconnect from social media and other activities for certain time periods. If this happens to you, just yield to the direction God is leading you and in the end – you will be so thankful you faithfully submitted. (Check out the song titled “Respond” by Travis Greene on YouTube, it will bless your desire to submit to the process) In fact, I witnessed God’s protection over my family in such a mighty way throughout the entire year! While the year was filled with life transitions for the girls and I, God directed us and faithfully provided for us! Some of my favorite studies during my devotion/journaling time consisted of the book of Proverbs, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Romans, I & II Kings, and I & II Chronicles. You may be wondering how “leaving a lasting legacy” fits into the bible journaling or devotion time. Let me share a few personal testimonies with you. A couple of months into my bible journaling challenge, while at home one day, my oldest daughter Eliana picked up one of the journals and began reading what I had written and it turned out her 6th grade class was studying I Kings at school. So we were able to have multiple dialogues about the implications of what was taking place during that time in history. More importantly, she decided to start journaling her thoughts/prayers to God for others. She has a heart for all people to know Jesus especially middle schoolers and the young generation which battles with social/peer pressure in a big way. I used the opportunity to share with both girls about how my late father had left his very old bible and though the cover was completely worn, it is filled with his own notes and his diaries which are special to me. The purpose for my bible journaling is that one day they will both read these journals and God will use the notes, personal reflections and prayers to encourage them when they need it the most. While generational wealth is great, since no one really knows how our children will spend the monies left for them, written words are lasting unto multiple generations. I also shared with both girls the importance of leaving not only financial blessings but also written legacy for their future children.

One day last year, I was listening to a message by Bishop T.D. Jakes where he shared his perspective about how many parents were doing their best to provide opportunities for their children which they themselves never got to experience while growing up. He explained the problem with this approach is that it could leave our children handicapped when they need those tough life lessons of working hard to get what you have in order to sustain them through the trials in life. Of course, we all want to provide the very best for our children but we must pause often and reflect on the why and at what cost to their future development as a change agent for Jesus in a world which seeks to move quickly towards instant gratification and notoriety. The Lord has given us what we need to raise our children well and I am reminded of the scripture in Proverbs 22:6 which says “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (KJV) My parents used the word of God, discipline and traditional proverbs to train my siblings and I and those lessons have stayed with me. I want my girls to grow up remembering their mom as a person who intentionally spent time in the presence of the Lord and also directed them to do so by leaving wisdom in the form of written instructions from God’s word. “Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life. Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life.” (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12, NLT) My friends as you map out your vision goals for the year 2020, please be sure to consider what kind of a lasting legacy you intend to leave for your loved ones. If you are determined to start bible journaling, start by getting a journal which will serve the purpose you want it to, then select a time and quiet place to pray, read your bible and begin journaling. You may also want to invest in good bible highlighters for notes. (I always try to get inspirational journals - the first one I used was given to me as a gift.) I have since gone back to thank my friend who gave it to me. While I have included a couple of photos below from my 2019 personal journal excerpts, if you need help with the process – feel free to contact me and or sign up for the 2020 challenge at www.heatherllindsey.com. I pray something in this message resonates with you. Most importantly, my family and I declare a very blessed 2020 to you and your family!! ****Remember - you too are fearfully and wonderfully made for such a time as this.