Two people died this past weekend who had a worldwide following. The first was the Canadian rock ‘n roll icon Sass Jordan. The other was Rev. Jim Bakker, former head of the PTL (Praise The Lord) Club. They had little to nothing in common, other than the proximity of their deaths. But they both remind us, in different ways, that the legacy we build is the legacy we keep.
Growing up as an aspiring rock star, Sass Jordan’s music inspired me. And I’m not alone. Her fan base was in the millions. While I recognize that her music was not everyone’s cup of tea (or soy latte if you prefer), those who liked her liked her a lot. Her music brought joy to many. Her gritty songs about life and love were honest and relatable. She was a role model for young women in the 1980s and 90s, showing them what being a strong woman in a male-dominated industry looked like. She was positive, kind, empowering, hard-working and invested herself in the success of others. As one of her fellow musicians said, “Sass was one of the good ones. She gave far more than she ever took.”
Jim Bakker was also a talented communicator. His forte wasn’t singing but preaching. He had a gift for public speaking and evangelizing, and millions of people around the world were taken in by his words. Unlike Sass Jordan, however, he used his gift to manipulate rather than encourage. He bilked millions of people out of millions of dollars all to fuel his own luxurious lifestyle. Eventually the law caught up to him, and he was jailed for fraud. He didn’t just steal people’s money; he stole their faith.
Both Sass Jordan and Jim Bakker leave behind a legacy, albeit of vastly different colours.
Imagine that, at the end of life, we were all presented with a spreadsheet. Listed on the left of the spreadsheet are all the ways we have taken from life. And on the right are all the ways we have given something back to life. If the list on the left is longer than the right, we are given a minus sign beside our name. We have taken more than we have invested. If, on the other hand, the list on the right is longer, we get a plus sign. We have given more to life than we have taken. If this were the case, then the goal of life would be to make sure that in the end the right side is longer than the left!
This Thanksgiving weekend, I am grateful for all the “pluses” in my life, and in the life of our community. I’m thankful for all those who, over the years, have shown human nature at its finest. I’m thankful for those whose acts of kindness, compassion, justice, friendship, understanding and love have enriched my own journey. I’m thankful for those whose contributions of service and charity have strengthened the bonds of faith and community. I’m thankful for those whose words are positive and encouraging, and whose actions always seek to help and never to harm.
Every day, we can decide: will I be a plus or a minus? Will I withdraw or will I invest? Will I use my gifts to build myself up, or use them to build a better home, church, community, world? These are the questions that build and cement legacies.
Ralph Waldo Emerson shared what I think is the best recipe for creating a positive, lasting legacy;
“to laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition.
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded!”
Thank you, Mr. Emerson, you nailed it!! Happy Thanksgiving!! May we all take a moment this weekend to raise a glass of gratitude in honour of all the “pluses” in our homes, our communities, our church, and our world. As Sass Jordan would say, “you guys rock!!”
