A dirt grave and the purpose of life

Last week I laid to rest the father of a friend. A great, kind, generous and gentle giant of a man. It hurt to see all that he was, unceremoniously hidden away, under a pile of dirt. None of his money, contacts, accolades and experience could change the fact that when he died, he was put in the ground and covered with dirt.

It really hurt. Why? Because it will be the same for you, and for me.

And I began to question, what life is really all about when it’s all going to end like this? The answer came to me as I looked around me, desperate to make sense of it all.

It was the people. Everyone who was there to see the old man put to rest. I realized our lives are measured by our contribution to the lives of others. How we lived, who we touched for better or for worse and the legacy we leave is what matters. Not the cars, the houses or the fame we acquired. It’s the people we leave behind.

As a father, it’s incredibly important to me what legacy I leave for my children. Who will they be because of how I related to them? I want everyone who comes to see my pile of dirt say “I’m here today, alive, happy, successful, because I knew him. He made my life worth living”.

The children of the late were left angry and hurt with unsaid “goodbyes and I love you’s”. The right investment by him in them would have made an incredible difference to their loss now.

I intend to make a difference, leave a positive legacy.

What about you? How will you spend your life? Will you make a difference? I’d love to hear from you.

The Apprentice comes of Age

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy birthday dear Apprentice.….

Ok ok enough singing for myself but i couldn’t help it cause today is a vary special day for me; not just because its my birthday but it’s my 30th birthday! This is  of great significance because in the Bible, the 30th year was considered the coming of age year when a boy becomes a man and begins to fulfill his ministry or purpose in this life.

Let’s look at Joseph. He had a calling on his life but it only came to be when he became 30. King David, annointed King of Israel but only actually became so at 30. And most importantly, our Lord Jesus. His official ministry began when He too became 30.

So, I’m pondering and asking the Master, what is my ministry/ purpose that I’m to embark on now that I’ve hit the big three-oh? Perhaps its simply the ministry of Fatherhood as my daughter is due in a month and half? Perhaps it’s as an entreprenuer with my business? 

For most men, this age brings an onset of the midlife crisis which is basically a man desperate for some meaning, direction and hope for his life. Wondering what happened to his dreams, how he got to being who and where he is currently, and more importantly is this mundane, unsatisfying life going to go till he dies? These questions really cause us problems and for the longest time, I asked myself such. I even started feelin this hopeless when I hit 25!!!

Anyways, whatever it is, I choose to walk boldly into this new era of my life and trusting that God is true to His word that His plans for me are many, they are wonderful and beyond anything I can dare think, ask or even dream. So let it be unto me according to His Will.

Happy Birthday Kiddo. You a man now.

Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
 Betty Friedan