by Phyllis Ducey
pfdoriginalartworks

So what really counts? Depends at how you look at life. I recently read a book written by an amazing man who was dying of cancer and had accomplished more than I probably could have in three life times. The book was a combination of leaving a legacy to his young children (who, being so young, would have little memory of him) as well as his way of encouraging others to follow their dreams. I found the book interesting and felt he had a great outlook on life. After all he stayed positive, encouraged many people and helped them to discover, as well as follow, their dreams. Even knowing he was dying his focus was on giving to his family and friends. And really that is all that counts, right?

What really started me thinking about this was after reading HelensCorner’s blog post about attending a tractor show. It contained wonderfully sweet pictures of the event with her husband and son (he is a cutie!). She ended her post (click on this link to read it…you’ll smile: Tractor weekend) stating that her son and husband had a wonderful time and “sometimes that's what counts.”

She is so right… sometimes to wallow in the joy of a family… enjoying the gift of that moment is all that counts. The picture is of grandchild #3 and me spending an afternoon together. We did a little weeding (until she got a mosquito bite and decided it was not worth the threat of getting more), watered plants then plucked some cool looking leaves, painted them, pressed them onto paper and made wonderful creations (the picture at the beginning of this post is the painting I started that afternoon).

When I read Helen’s blog and I thought to myself… yes, sometimes that's what really counts. Then I was reading that book which I enjoyed the author’s theories and tenacity in life but as I got closer to the end… closer to the end of his life (the book was completed prior to his death) my heart sank as I realized he did not write with an eternal perspective. The beautiful legacy in his book he was leaving for his family would equip them for living in many ways but gave them no gear for eternity. To me, though noble from a worldly perspective, it was tragic the efforts he put in to be remembered and to make the transition for his kids easier when he died but yet not leave them the legacy of a Father who would never leave them or forsake them.

Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?
Heb 13:5-6 (the Message)

We will all be gone one day. We hope our love remains with each person we care so deeply about but my prayer is not that I will be remembered by my children or grandchildren but that the God I love would be remembered and embraced as their own. If I have left them embracing and loving the Lord, I will know that I have left a beautiful gift with eternal value. I will have left them a gift that will equip them for anything and everything that they will encounter.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
John 14:3 (NIV)

Because truly… that's what really counts!








In His image bib by HelensCorner












Family custom caricature by AmbieandAshiesArt













Guy necklace by ShadowCutter












Christmas ornament by DuctTapeAndDenim












Double hoop earrings by NeboBeads











Christian adoption t-shirt by tellitees














Knitting row counter bracelet by jeanettejed













Monogram wall hanging by PamperMePlease











Christmas photo greeting card by PhotoGreetings