Breathe

For Valentines Day, Peter gave me a gift card for a massage. I finally took advantage of it tonight. It was wonderful. Quiet time. My mind wandered to work but when I realized that, I focused on thinking of other things. I want to concentrate on what is next.
In our Sunday school class, we are in the midst of an intense marriage study. It is really good. It is very serious and the guy doesn't pull any punches on the expectations of marriage. One of the things he said that really stuck with Peter was "I don't want to upset you, but when you die, most people won't remember you. A generation after your death, most people in your own family won't know much about you." Peter was really touched by this and has said, "I want to have made a difference. I want to matter." I feel the same.
It is a deep thought and a question that most of us should indeed think about. I don't want my legacy to my kids to be that their mom sat with a computer all the time. I spoke with a work friend yesterday who missed the recent sales meeting. She said only one person had reached out to see where she was. She's been with the company about 10 years and she misses a meeting and no one noticed. Sad but true. Why is it surprising? I guess it shouldn't be.
What do I want to do that will make a difference? I have an interest in going on a mission trip. It isn't something I foresee in the next year, but I'd like to start investigating the opportunity. Our church was recently looking for a children's mission coordinator. It isn't a huge volunteer job, but it is one that I think I can do. I'll organize four month long mission drives this upcoming school year. The kids can help me with the counting and doing the bulletin boards.
I've also volunteered to take on the school supply coordinator role for the elementary school. I'm a spectator this year seeing how it works and next year I'll be more involved in the whole thing. Neither of these two volunteer roles will be my legacy either, but I want to think about what I enjoy doing and aim to work in the direction of doing those things sooner rather than later.