Pass it Along

I pointed out some interesting black & white photographs on the wall of the hospital corridor to my wife.  They were shots of various random scenes of an old farmhouse, a windmill and other scenes.  She said, “When I was young, I would go to the motocross races to watch my brother ride.  I would take our camera and take the pictures.  I really enjoyed it.  My parents ordered a photography magazine for me.”  I chuckled because it reminded me of when our middle school started a 4H club.  The advisor asked each of us what we liked to do.  I noticed they had information on small engine repair.  Since our lawnmower at home was constantly broken, I thought that would be a great area to learn.  The next week I got an instruction manual.  We both chuckled.  

It reminded me that young people need more than information when it comes to pursuing desires of the heart.  They need someone who will walk down the path with them.  They need someone who is interested in them, someone who will listen.  Hopefully that person is a parent.  Sometimes it is not. 

If I can be that person for someone, then I will gladly invest my time and energy. 
Now that I have passed the “50” mark, I believe that the most fruitful years of my life are ahead of me.  They may not be the things I do personally.  Rather they may be the things that others do because of me.  As I invest my life in a new generation, I believe it will multiply and live on in the hearts and minds of those who follow me down a road marked not only by my footprints, but also the footprints of many others, including Jesus.  I want to invest in others so that when they experience the “AHA” moment of why they are here, I can be a catalyst for them to embrace that purpose and live a life of purpose.