And yet, and yet…

A few weeks ago I had the chance to teach a seminary class at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Frightening, I know. But one of the cool things about when I return to the campus at SWBTS is seeing some of the legacy from my wife’s family there. Her father and grandfather both led the Physical Facilities of the school for over 50 years. One particular spot that the school maintains to point to that legacy and heritage are bricks with people’s names on them. Of course, when I was there teaching, I got to see Jim and Tim’s bricks.

It made me stop to think on those that built ahead of me. I think about Myles Gillum and his brother Absalom Gillum dividing ways in Alabama in the 1800s, one choosing Texas and the other choosing Arkansas for their homesteads, and the hundreds of families that would follow. I think about my Grampy and Granny in Arkansas who have raised their family in honesty and education, seeking to build them up for their best. I think about my PaPaw, who fought in World War II and had success as a music producer in the 60s. I think about my Mimi, who has served as the matriarch for her family for decades, even though she was raised by her grandparents. I think on the sacrifices of the years, the late nights, the early mornings, the rejoicing on successes, and the bitterness of disappointments. All of these things built into my life and serve as a part of who I am and who I will be.

I pause to think on this last day of the year on the things I’m building ahead for my own family. Am I building a legacy of self-achievement, or am I investing in souls that I’ve yet to know? I often struggle with the idea of impact, while forgetting that our longest meaning is in foundations. Like the Pyramids of Giza, the stones that stand at the pinnacle only stand by the work of hundreds of others below. Like Tim Leitch spending hours making sure the alignments of foundations and systems were correct, the buildings stand long after him. The times that I spend in the quiet making waffles with my boy, the car rides home from school, the time spent sharing what the Lord is doing in my heart, those alignments will bring foundations that will last long after me.

This year you may have some regrets or disappointments. This year you may have successes and rejoicing. Either way, keep building. It may be that future generations won’t be impressed by a book you write or a song you sing or a car or house you buy, but by the bricks you lay.

If we trust our Father in our yesterdays, we can also trust him with our tomorrows.

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11