“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” – Psalm 78:4 (NIV)
It’s a common thought that when people hear the word legacy, they think of the inheritance of money. I like to think of legacy as a non-monetary gift we leave each other – passing on things of lasting value to those left behind.
My maternal grandmother and my husband passed away many years ago. The legacy my grandmother left me was her kindness, thoughtfulness, and the way she lived a simple and frugal life. She left behind her love of God, and it reflected in how she treated people. When a person needed something, and it was in her power to give it, she did. If someone needed a place to stay for any length of time, she gave it. Her life was not one of selfishness. She didn’t think of herself; she thought of others. That is what God wants us to do.
My husband left me the love of God and the love of pets. I never had a pet before I met my husband. Five years into our marriage, we got our first furry family member. My husband was a young man when he passed away, and to this day, I tell people that he gave me the gift of showing me His love of God and the love of a pet. I needed that unconditional love when he passed away and throughout my life. He was a Christian man who loved Jesus with all his heart. When I talk to my pet, I always say, “It’s you, me, and Jesus.”.
What kind of legacy has Jesus left us? Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” He left us His teachings in His Word. I think of the Holy Bible as a manual for life. I’m not sure people understand that. God gave His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us so that we may have eternal life.
True legacies are not about money. It’s about what we are taught by the person(s) when they pass from this Earth. True legacies are teaching moments of living a Godly life. Something to think about: What legacy will you leave your loved ones?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word. There isn’t a better legacy You could have left any of us in this world. Philippians 4:9 says, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Thank You for Your legacy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Written by: Laurie Davis
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I always love hearing your memories of grandma. You were so lucky to have gotten to grow up close to her. Something my sister and I never had.