Making the Mark

The lamp on her bedside desk revealed something I hadn't seen before, since my husband was the one who slept on that side. She is away at college, so we are staying in our granddaughter's room while visiting her family.  I sat down there to dab some polish on my nails this morning when I noticed it. She had carved her name into the wood of this childhood furniture!  The black paint that had changed it from the original maple camouflaged the inscription, but it was plain as day under the light!  Corrin had left her mark!

Now this bundle-of-energy grandchild is making her mark at college! If she is not studying, cooking,  excelling at sports or hanging with friends, she is thinking of ways to add more to the walls of her living quarters she shares with three other girls.

Corrin has lots of friends, especially those in her sorority.  Her godly dedication is well known among them.  She has a circle of influence--a footprint, you might say. We all leave a footprint, or impression that others observe about us. We are making our mark, whether we realize it or not.

"Even a child is known by his doings, whether it be pure, or whether it be right." Proverbs 20:11.  The Bible also says, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1.

No doubt "Rinnie," as she is affectionately called by her parents, was much younger when she marred or "autographed" her desk. Although she has always had a daring, adventurous bent, it is obvious that she is growing up.  Proverbs 22:4 says, "The reward for humility and favor of the Lord is riches and honor and life."

Just as the light revealed the scar on the desk, the Light of Jesus shines on our mistakes and bad decisions, forgiving them when we repent. Then we are free to share the Good News of salvation with others. "Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but  on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." Matthew 5:15. And whether in our own "house" or on the college campus, may the mark that we leave be for Jesus!