Legacy and Story — from Billy Graham to The New York Times

Have you noticed that when you learn a new word, you start noticing it everywhere? Same when you write a book. You obsess on something (not literally) for a few years, start seeing the world through that lens, and then catch echoes of that way of thinking in the newspaper, overheard conversations in the mall, and in Seinfeld re-runs.

I’m happy to say that my book came out a couple of weeks ago: Creating a Spiritual Legacy: How to Share Your Stories, Values, and Wisdom. During the short time since it came out I’ve been forwarded (thank you Wanda) an article by David Brooks (New York Times) asking 70+ oldsters to send him stories evaluating their lives, and seen a comment by Billy Graham while celebrating his 93rd birthday (and a new book, Almost Home) about the importance of legacy. At the same time, Matt alerted me to a quote from the book that was posted on John Piper’s website (“Your legacy is the fragrance of your life that remains when you yourself are not present.”), which I have to admit I did not remember writing (but like the sound of it now that I see it).

“Story” has long been one of the main paradigms through which I see the world. Legacy depends on story. So the two are interwoven in my life and mind, and keep showing up everywhere. Watch out for them yourselves!