Yesterday was a glorious, warm, sunshiny day. Once the munchkin was worn out from playing in the yard and down for her nap, I decided to attend to a few plants in need of re-potting. I've tried growing a few things from seed this season and to my surprise, I am capable of "starting" things indoors without killing them. This of course is only possible as I have remembered to bring things in out of the cold/freezing night temperatures, and consistently apply water. Go figure.
So, I was at my potting table with the fence gate open (as if to say: "Welcome warm weather!"), I had a perfect view of all the goings on of the neighborhood. Cars came and went by and I kept busy at my work. That is until a car, unfamiliar to me, stopped unusually long at the stop sign. I looked up and noticed it's passengers waving at me. Not wanting to seem unfriendly I waved back while quickly doing a mental search of all of the people I know in our area who might stop and wave. The driver, a robust lady with curly hair, rolled down her window and yelled out to me: "We used to live here!". I walked over and we began to chat.
I've heard of this woman before. SHE was the one who slathered the kitchen in "Fire Engine Red" paint! Her bold color was well remembered by the neighbors who mentioned it several times when we moved in. Having recently repainted the kitchen and seen remnants of paint from previous tenants, I confirmed it was her by asking "What color was the kitchen when you lived here?". She proudly stated "That beautiful red!", still obviously proud of her color choice. To each his own. ;)
Before she drove off, she mentioned that she was also the one to paint the rock fireplace. She said "It was a poopy brown color" before she got to it. I thanked her (for surely if she hadn't painted it, I would!), said she'd done a great job, and after a few niceties, she was off.
Back at my potting table, the thought struck me how odd it was that she lived in my home. It's our place now, and it felt so strange to picture anyone else living in it, having a history here besides us. Her mention of being the one to paint the fireplace made me wonder what mark I will have made on this home if we ever move. Maybe one day I'll be the lady in the car and will say that we were the ones to put in the garden, and paint the kitchen cabinets. Regardless, the main thought that sunk into my mind was how temporary things are. Circumstances change, people move, walls are painted over. Although this house is temporary, it's still got fingerprints of it's previous owners.
While fire engine red paint might not be my current choice of color, it left it's mark. I saw splatters of it above the cabinets when I repainted. It was also behind the refrigerator where no one cared to do a complete painting job. To carry on this image of the leftovers of bright paint, I wonder what things I'll be remembered for. I'm not speaking merely in terms of being a home owner, but what I'll be remembered best for as a person. Life is short and I won't be around forever, and I will leave my mark in some way or another. There are things that uniquely mark us as individuals; be it a certain skill, character trait, hobby, or passion. My Great Grandma was known for her chuckle of a laugh, her quiet nature, good cooking, and in her later years, her "bingo wings" that would flap as she rolled out dough on her counter.
I certainly have my quirks and may be remembered for things I'd rather be forgotten, but the greatest thing I could be remembered for is being a woman who loved the Lord. Though I don't know exactly what kind of mark I will leave, I'm grateful for the reminder that I'm currently forming a legacy. Today is shaping tomorrow. Everything adds up. It makes the seemingly little choices I make today hold greater weight and value. My prayer is that when I'm gone, there will be a fire engine red paint from my life worthy to be noted by future generations. That my children and grandchildren will remember a bright and bold godly character. That it won't be a shade to be painted over or forgotten, but one that shines timelessly to honor the Lord. Let us all seek to make changes that won't soon fade.
