The temptation is overwhelming. You can't help but keep looking at it, thinking no one will catch you. Just one time...but that one time will last forever. Haven't you ever seen freshly poured concrete and wanted to scribe your initials or put your infamous hand prints firmly in the mush. Just that little moment of impression, leaves a imprint that will last forever. Those who stroll by will wonder whose hands those are and what those silly letters mean beside them. Those impressions or imprints are easily made with little to no harm. Sure, maybe the general contractor may raise a brow or throw his gloves in frustration as his smooth masterpiece has been slightly altered. But its the memories of each time YOU pass by those hand prints, you instantly remember that day...
Those impressions and imprints are easily seen. The ones that are often not seen so clearly are on the ones we leave those of most valuable...our kids, friends, family... How many times have we counted the cost of what it means for a father to pick up his son and throw him in the air playing Superman. When mom's homemade cookies right after the worst day of school seems to pull out the true events of the day, yet seems to mend the brokenness of the day. How those encouraging words from a teacher sent you home with hope and inspiration to be the next ____. We all walk daily in this journey called LIFE not knowing often what kind of imprints we choose this or that. Our words carry the ability to leave those lasting hand prints of hope, encouragement, disappointment, shame, guilt or strength.
So what lasting impressions are you leaving? Men...what kind of father are you training up your boys to be? Mothers, what kind of wife are your young daughters going to be by following your example? Teachers, coaches, pastors...what will the lives of those under your care bloom into in 10, 15, 20 years. After all...we all leave impressions and imprints on the valuables we touch...
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