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Mary Bethune graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1895. Her goal was to serve as a missionary in Africa; but when white missionary organizations refused to accept her, she went south and worked to improve the lot of African Americans. She founded a school, now known as the Bethune–Cookman University. She also founded the National Council of Negro Women, served four U.S. presidents. In retirement, she said, I have little to leave behind, except a legacy of love, hope, faith, a challenge to develop confidence in each other, respect for power, racial dignity, the desire to live in harmony with others, and the task to nurture our youth. She left us a valuable legacy. As the Apostle Peter neared the end of his life, he also left some vital truths. In 2 Peter Ch. 1, he urged God’s people to add to their faith moral excellence, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love for everyone. He said, “The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.” Like Dr. Mary Bethune and the Apostle Peter, we should each live so when we are gone, others can benefit from what we leave behind.
