What does your life stand for?
My sister-in-law knows I enjoy reading and recently recommended two books, one of which I’m reading now and almost finished. “Race Against Time” is written by Jerry Mitchell, who worked for the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi. When he first started, he was intrigued to learn there were several civil rights cases from the 1960’s involving the KKK that had never been closed. His research led him to pursue those responsible, which were often returned to public light through his articles in the newspaper. The most notorious of cases occurred in 1964 when three civil rights volunteers were murdered by the Klan, which became known as the Mississippi Burning case.
One of the victims was Andy Goodman from New York. His headstone in Mount Judah Cemetery, located in Queens is engraved with the following:
“He traveled a short while toward the sun and left the vivid air signed with his honor.”
His mother, Carolyn Goodman, had endured a life of tragedies: molested as a child, a teenage abortion, her father’s suicide, the death of two husbands and a son’s murder. According to Mitchell, “she could have been angry or bitter. Instead she poured her life into helping others. She became a clinical psychologist, treating troubled single mothers and others in New York City.”
First off, how could anyone endure so many hardships? That is a lot, in fact that is more than any one person should have to deal with. I can hardly imagine. But secondly, what is it that caused or allowed Carolyn to use her hurt to fuel her willingness to help others? That is an amazing example! It also humbles me, even embarrasses me to think of the few struggles and challenges that I’ve had to endure, when I compare to what she has overcome.
What does your life stand for? Look on social media, text messages and emails. These days, that may be the only way some people see us, so what do we stand for?
What do you want to be known for? Let’s consider incorporating things like compassion, grace, integrity, love, mercy, service and truth into our lives through what we say, what we post, what we do and most importantly, how we make people feel. I’m convinced that is what counts the most.
I’m reminded of a church hymn that I’ve not sung in years, a couple of lines are:
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord, to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart, it is Thine own
It shall be They royal throne
We only have one life to live, let’s live it well. One day at a time, helping one person at a time.