Building Legacies Through Kindness and Faith

This year when I reported back to work as an elementary assistant principal, I noticed some new faces. As I introduced myself to an assistant principal who looked older than me, and I’m a middle-aged guy, I assumed she was someone who retired, and then was rehired. When I told her my name and asked hers, I realized she is a special person from my teaching past. Twenty years ago, Mrs. S. was one of my mentor/trainers when I was a brand new teacher!

I still remembered her name, because she was such a positive influence on this “nervous newbie” back in 2004  As we talked, I realized, while her appearance had changed, she still had the same “You can do this!” attitude that inspired me.

Mrs. S was touched that I remembered her, and thanked me for telling her what a powerful impact she made on me.


I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Maya Angelou

Today, I can’t recall a single piece of advice Mrs. S gave me at that long ago rookie teacher workshop, but I’ve never forgotten how she made me feel. Her unwavering confidence in my ability to succeed as a teacher, if I committed myself to the right things, was empowering beyond belief! It wasn’t just what she said, it was who she was–a veteran teacher who believed in me–that still sticks with me, after two decades.


God is also great at seeing people, not just as they are, but for all they can be. He is the ultimate possibility thinker who speaks His power into people.

Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women!

The angel Gabriel to young Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 2:28- NKJV)

The Lord is with you, mighty warrior

The Lord’s angel to Gideon, who was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. (Judges 6:12- NIV)

Kind reader, you and I have the capacity to be legacy builders–people who speak God’s possibility into the lives of others. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to help others see themselves and love themselves as God does.

This mission is possible.

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️prayers and love

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)


The Stigma Stops Here.🛑

#mentalhealthmatters



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30 responses to “Building Legacies Through Kindness and Faith”

  1. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Full circle moment is a good description, brother! When she said her name, it was like a circuit was reconnected. I went twenty years back in time, just like that.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Her legacy, equipping other teachers, makes me want to keep paying it forward.Thanks for stopping by, Priscilla! God Bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Priscilla Bettis Avatar

    Thank You, Lord, for Mrs. S and her impact in David’s life. May we likewise be influential in others’ lives.

    Like

  4. jesusluvsall Avatar

    A wonderful full circle moment for you brother. I am glad you saw her again after all these years.
    Kindness is something people remember. Love the Maya Angelou quote.

    Like

  5. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thanks for reading and commenting, Jeanie! I ran into Mrs. S’s sister, who is also a veteran educator, and told her about the reunion. She was touched!

    Like

  6. Jeanie M Avatar

    What an inspiring story! It’s amazing how someone’s belief in us can leave such a lasting impact. It really makes me think about the little moments when we can encourage others. Thanks for sharing this, I needed the reminder while I sit here waiting for my carpet cleaners to finish! Hopefully, they’re as good at making an impact as Mrs. S was! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  7. peggywritesblog Avatar

    Blessing also for you and your family!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Peggy! Yes, paying it forward is often the best way to thank our mentors. Thank you for reading and commenting. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. peggywritesblog Avatar

    Wonderful post, David! We remember those who have impacted our lives and pray that we can “pay it forward.”

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Andy B of The BerryBunch Avatar

    I never try to do that……….cool that I did though 🙂

    Like

  11. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you for sharing your mentor story, Chris. The “paying it forward “ request he made is a good way to keep the legacy going. I appreciate your reading and commenting. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Chris G Thelen Avatar

    I’m so grateful for the mentors who encouraged me. I’ll never forget the man at a large company who responded to one of my unsolicited letters when I was close to graduating from college and looking for work. This was in the early 1980s when there was a severe recession. He took time to meet with me and told me he didn’t have any openings, but would pass on any leads he came across. Months later he sent me a lead that gave me my first job out of college. When I thanked him, he told me, “you can thank me by helping someone else.”

    Liked by 1 person

  13. davidsdailydose Avatar

    In classic Andy B fashion you summarized my thoughts in one sentence!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Andy B of The BerryBunch Avatar

    How very true

    Yes!

    Our heart is what God desires and it is our heart that people remember.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. BerryBunch.family Avatar
    BerryBunch.family

    Amen!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I’m glad you feel this one hits the mark, Pastor Pete. One of the things I’ve learned from you is to recreate the emotions you felt in a certain situation. When you get it right, the reader feels them too. Thanks for your encouragement. God Bless!

    Like

  17. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Yes, good job,Mrs. S! As soon as she said her name, the memories came flooding in. Twenty years later and her influence is still there. 🤗

    Liked by 1 person

  18. My Life in Our Father's World Avatar

    Feeling loved and supported is a blessing and a gift. Good job Mrs. S

    Liked by 1 person

  19. pastorpete51 Avatar

    Just what a number of us needed today. Thank you so much Dave.

    Liked by 2 people

  20. God Still Speaks Avatar

    How very true! We remember the kindness people showed us long afterwards. So it is encouraging to be encouraging. It will make an impact.

    Liked by 2 people

  21. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It was a thrilling moment, that took about 24 hours to sink in. Thanks, brother. To contribute in a positive way to lives that will likely outlast us is epic! Write in and right on to you,
    as well, my brother!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Nicola. I love it when inspired posts inspire further action! If your sermon is recorded, please post a link. My wife and I enjoyed a previous one you shared. I’ll say a prayer for your successful sermon when I awake in the morning, which should be about your church time. Thank you for reading and commenting. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. seeingliketheeagle Avatar

    Hi David you and Bruce have both separately and in different posts encouraged and blessed me on my preach subject for tomorrow. Such inspiring and encouraging words. Thank you.

    Liked by 3 people

  24. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Crystal! I hope you have the “lightest” teaching year ever—as in shining your light to your students!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. The Devotional Guy™ Avatar

    Oh to be remembered and even more so to be remembered by those whose lives we touched. Beautiful post, David. I imagine this must have been a a thrilling moment for you both. I love how you wove God seeing and valuing us into this piece. Blessings. Write on!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. The Crystal Light Avatar

    One of my favorite Maya Angelou quotes and my go-to scripture, Jeremiah 29:11, for 2024 and beyond! The reminders strike me as a personal message from God. Thank you, David! Have a wonderful new school year!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, Betty! We’ve never met in person, but your positive “can do “—on a budget, approach to life comes through loud and clear in your writing. 🤗 Thank you for your encouragement, and for taking the time to read and comment. I hope you and Dan enjoy your day as well. God bless!

    Liked by 2 people

  28. Betty Avatar

    David, I love this post. It rings true on so many levels. Who we are and what we do are so powerful. It reminds me of the saying, “Attitudes are caught, not taught.” Thanks for your post, and enjoy your Saturday!

    Liked by 1 person

  29. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you, brother Alan! It took me a few days to process the significance of my reunion with Mrs. S. We don’t always realize the impact we make on others. This is why doing the Lord’s work every day is important. God Bless you today, my brother in Christ from the Kingdom of Fife. 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Alan Kearns Avatar

    That is a deep and encouraging thought David :

    “Kind reader, you and I have the capacity to be legacy builders–people who speak God’s possibility into the lives of others.”

    Thank you for sharing this lovely post with us today brother. God bless you and Nancy today 🙏 🇺🇸 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    Liked by 5 people

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