Brass Rubbings

As we spend the time of our lives, are we focusing on the things that matter most? What impression will we leave?

Once upon a time, my family lived in England while I attended elementary school. I loved black currant sweets and Yorkshire pudding with roast beef smothered in gravy. Chunky sugar crystals on buttery biscuits. Fish and chips wrapped in newspaper. Four fresh milk bottles left on our doorstep each week. Fond memories of rolling misty green hills outlined with old stone walls and welcoming trees. The cozy storybook thatched villages with three-wheeled cars puttering by. But my favorite thing was to visit the magical castles and cathedrals with my parents.

My parents brought me along while they did brass rubbings. Brass rubbings are when a grave cover stone is topped with persons commemorated in a flat brass engraving. Usually with an inscription. They used a large gold crayon on black paper to stencil, or rub, those brass engravings. For me, it was like looking into the casket just before they were laid to rest - all beautifully adorned. I imagined this was Camelot and I was rubbing shoulders with real knights and royalty. My parents were the royal artists drawing the residents before they peacefully slept using their gold wands.

Some of my parent's brass rubbings are passed down to me. Looking at them now I wonder, what impression will I leave?

Maybe an epic hero engraving from saving the world? Christ has already accomplished that feat. He saved us and left an impression that affects all generations. Since I can't compete with that, why not follow Him?

My inscription may read, "To my loving family, I am a child of God who is grateful for all I have been given. I believe in the healing Atonement of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. I am a good person that asks for forgiveness every day. I am nothing without our Father in Heaven. I am who I am because of His will and all of you. Until we meet again." ...with an engraving of a kneeling knight. "Fight the good fight."

What impression will you leave?

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.

Kids don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.