Mark

Lives leave marks.  On us. They leave a taste, an influence, a legacy, a mark.  They leave us shaped or changed in some ways. 

 

If the mark is made through a single encounter: a visit, a letter, a book, the imprint can be seen. The mark made a noticeable difference.  It may have even prompted a choice or at least a perspective. 

 

But if the mark is etched over years, many together years, the mark engraves itself into the original life.  Infuses itself.  Though the mark makes more than a difference, it cannot be so easily seen. Because the life changed along the way, was shaped along the way, was expanded along the way. The mark became the life. 

 

When the mark has made its final indent, set its last gem, then the life can more easily recognize the mark. 

 

He readily forgave, he trusted a promise, he sought scripture, he gave extra, he loved people, he said yes, he put God first.  The life wasn’t quite like this— but the mark — and now it is. 

 

A mark has been engraved on this life.