I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me,
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest.
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all the who's who and so-n-sos that used to be the best
At such-n-such ... it wouldn't matter much.

We stood quietly outside the church entrance while more than a hundred RCMP officers paraded with precision into the parking lot. As we entered the foyer, the Mounties saluted the grief-stricken family and marched into a packed church. On the altar was a picture of Inspector Jim Wakely. He had been in charge of the detachment in our town.

One by one, tributes were paid to Jim: “He touched my life ...” “He always had time for people ...” Many staff and clients from The Caring Place remembered him with great affection and respect. Reflecting Jim's heart for others, the song chosen for his funeral was God Help the Outcasts from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Jim left his mark on this community, his friends and family.

When I die, I don't care what position I will have reached or how much I will have owned. Instead, I want to leave a legacy of touching people's lives and making a difference in the world.

One of the best tributes I've heard of came when our director left his previous workplace. He was given a stained glass hanging that simply says, “Others.” It's a Salvation Army emphasis—putting others before ourselves.

Many people strive for a successful career and to make a lot of money. Some work very hard to impress their superiors and long for advancement. Even the Church is not free from those who crave power, renown and material possessions. They want to be publicly noticed and appreciated.

I won't lie—it feels alright to see your name in lights.
We all need an “atta boy” or “atta girl.”
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world.

We all like to be appreciated, but some equate success with public recognition and financial reward. Without it, they feel taken for granted. Rare is the person who can go through life giving completely of herself, never expecting gratitude. I pray that God will develop in me the gift of giving for the sake of giving.

I want to pass this gift to my children. I'm sometimes concerned, however, that by giving too much to others, I'll deprive my children of the time and attention they need to develop into healthy adults. I want to find the right balance because I want to leave a legacy—not one of worldly importance—but of love.

I want to help people come to Jesus and be transformed. That's why I became an officer. When I accepted Jesus and got involved in our corps, I realized that my volunteer work was more important than my paid work. I began to feel a strong desire to do more for God. The “same old, same old” was no longer good enough.

I'm so thankful that I stepped out in faith. I traded the trappings of this world for the blessings of a life of giving to others. I'm pretty sure I traded up.

I want to leave a legacy.
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering—
A child of mercy and grace who
Blessed Your name unapologetically,
And leave that kind of legacy.
—Nicole Nordeman, Legacy 2002

Major Kathie Chiu is the Corps Officer and Executive Director of The Caring Place Ministries, Mountain View Community Church, Maple Ridge, B.C.