The Greatest Achievements In Life
Having just left a writers’ getaway weekend and contemplating my writing and life work, I’m asking myself, what is the greatest achievement of my life so far? What will my legacy be?
No one event stands
out in a life punctuated by a series of small successes. I had a successful
teaching career and left at the top of my game. I have written three books and
worked on more for others.
I’ve raised two
children into decent adults who have completed university degrees and contribute
to the community in a meaningful way.
I have a 27-year
marriage with an amazing man who encourages me to be all that I can be. We are
transitioning into a life of us both being full time ‘creatives’ after a life
of corporate success. We may have had bumps along the road, but we love and
live together happily with lots of laughter and adventures.
I travel to Cambodia
regularly to train teachers as part of Transform Cambodia. The lives of 1800
children are being transformed through the opportunity to be educated and I get
to play a very small part of that.
When my
son was in Year Three, I found out he couldn’t read. He used to ask why he
couldn’t read and called himself a loser. I was determined that he would not
reach high school and struggle.
We tried many ways of helping him
through learning difficulties. Finally, in Year Seven we felt he had caught up
with his peers enough not to feel inferior.
The first time he sat up in bed
with me and read his own book while I read mine, brings tears to my eyes even
now. When he won an academic award at Year Seven Graduation I felt like all the
effort was worth it.
Even in Year Eleven some of his difficulties resurfaced as the work challenged his weaknesses. However, he got through TEE and this year sees him complete a Commerce degree, majoring in Sports Management and Marketing. I’m so glad I fought for my boy and that long the way he learnt to work hard and be responsible for his own progress.
Even in Year Eleven some of his difficulties resurfaced as the work challenged his weaknesses. However, he got through TEE and this year sees him complete a Commerce degree, majoring in Sports Management and Marketing. I’m so glad I fought for my boy and that long the way he learnt to work hard and be responsible for his own progress.
It’s the seemingly
small things in life that may become our greatest legacy. The things that
perhaps others don’t see. That aren’t necessarily going to get your name up in
lights or earn you a million dollars.
So, what is my greatest achievement? What do I want to create in the next
season of my life that will leave a legacy? It’s not one particular thing, but
I know that whatever I do will not be completely about achieving goals for
personal gain.
The greatest achievements
are those that benefit others.
Dennis Waitley
According to Jesus the greatest achievement in life, our legacy, will not
only be what we’ve been able to do for ourselves, but what we’ve done for our
friends, family, neighbors, and complete strangers.
God
has not called me to be successful. He called me to be faithful
Mother Teresa
Elaine Fraser
www.beautifulbooks.co
Elaine, this is absolutely beautiful. Funny how God works, this is the very theme of my devotions this morning :-) Thank you for sharing this with us and for encouraging us. Blessings, Helen.
ReplyDeleteOh Elaine, I loved your post. That comment by Mother Theresa is one I try to live by. To be faithful to Him is what counts isn't it? I know that you are one of those who leave a string of daily worthwhile acts of kindness in your wake. It was great to connect with you at the Getaway and to hear something of your story and lovely to hear more of it this morning.
ReplyDeleteMay God keep each of us faithful to do all we have been called to do. Bless you for the way you encourage others and live for Jesus.
Anusha
Thank you Elaine. Really valued this today - especially the picture of your son learning to read and the effort/love I know must have gone into that from your end too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely responses. i had a very different post planned, but on the way home from the Getaway I did reflect on where to go from here. I felt very much that it wasn't about striving and making things happen to the detriment of being available to others.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Elaine. If I had to think of my greatest achievement it would be, along with my husband, raising two adult children, married to Christians, walking with the Lord, serving Him and teaching their little ones His ways. God has been good to us!
ReplyDeleteA great post, Elaine. What will last for eternity are only those things achieved in and through us by the Holy Spirit's work. This always challenges me to try to live and "do" each day only what God wants me to.
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