In Others’ Words: Planning and Planting for Shade in Years to Come
How often do we think about how our actions today will affect someone else in the future?
I can get so caught up in the here and now — crossing off all the things on my To Do list that I accomplished — that the future encompasses only a few days from now, and not much further. Oh, sure, I’m aware of some major dates:
my son’s visit in April with his wonderful girlfriend
my book deadline on May 1 and my book release on May 8 — those two are close!
birthdays, anniversaries, and even when my 17-year-old daughter’s Jr/Sr Banquet is (because it’s on my birthday)
But it’s all too rare that I think of how something I do or something I say might encourage someone years from now — provide them “shade,” so to speak.
It’s true, I could go out in my backyard and dig a hole and plant a tree that, years from now, would provide shade for my family — children and grandchildren and so on down the years. Or I could, given the advantage, invest wisely and provide financial “shade” for my family in the future. I’m sure they’d appreciate that, too.
But what else could I plant now that would offer “shade” — rest, refreshment, encouragement, protection — to people that I love years from now?
Memories filled with laughter, perhaps?
Thoughts about my faith journey recorded in my Bible, along with underlined verses?
Notes or letters sent now or maybe put aside for my family to find later that express my love for them, my respect for them, my hopes and dreams for them?
I want to be mindful of how I use today and tomorrow … but I also want to consider what I’m planting now, and how I’m providing shade for my family in years to come.
In Your Words: How has someone planted and provided shade in your life? How are you provided shade for someone in the future?
In Others' Words: Planning and Planting for Shade in Years to Come https://wp.me/p63waO-2AF #quotes #perspective
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'Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.' #quote by Warren Buffet https://wp.me/p63waO-2AF #encouragement
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