Years ago, I read an interview
with Deen Day Sanders from which I copied down several quotes. I came across
them again recently while looking for something else in one of my journals. I
believe the original source was Southern Living Magazine. Her first
husband, Cecil Day, was the founder of Days Inns, the story of which is
fascinating and perhaps the basis for a future post. After his death, Mrs. Sanders
ran the mammoth Days Inns and has since used the proceeds from the sale for good in ways only heaven knows the extent.
One of the quotes has for many
years served as a guidepost for me. No matter what the level of your resources
are, it is a nugget of wisdom from this Godly woman.
She said, “The only thing that
wealth does is give you more options about what you can do. But you have to do
it in service to other people, and service is where you get the value out of
life. I just feel that as long as you are giving, that’s real living.
I think Christ gave us a clear
message to serve. I have a personal commitment to service because I think people
all make choices. And those choices can involve self-indulgence or
self-promotion. You have to be other centered more than self-centered.”
I have never met her (though I would like to) but from everything I read she has lived by those words for
a lifetime now.
Mrs. Sanders implies in her words
that wealth doesn’t bring you happiness, but it gives you the choice to serve—to help others. And as she says the real value, the real joy, is in
giving.
The legacy we leave will not be
in our stuff, it will be in the things we have done for others. And it’s never
too early or late in our lives to think of how we will steward the resources God
has given us—great or small.
This woman of faith also said,
“If everyone did one little thing that would affect tomorrow, we would
have a better world.”
What is our
one little thing?
What can we
do today that will change tomorrow?
I often
hear folks say their legacy is their children. But I’m not sure we can think of
our legacy in those very strict terms. We are faced with choices every day that
offer opportunities to affect the future—something to think about.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do
not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
Jesus's words press in on my heart ever calling me to consider how I'm handling my blessings and where I'm putting my treasures. So, here’s to
the one little thing, treasures in heaven, and being thankful for the legacy of
giving Deen Day Sanders imparts to us.
Beverly Varnado is the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. A memoir, Faith in the Fashion District, from Crosslink Publishing is also available as well as her other books, Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees and Home to Currahee. She also has an Etsy Shop, Beverly Varnado Art.
To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.com
Beverly Varnado copyright 2022