My Legacy

As Christmas approaches, I think of Christmas past. The memories are not so much the events, but the people who impacted my life. With their life examples or encouraging words, each played a part in who I am today. I look forward to saying thank you when I meet them again in Heaven.

Thelma sang “O Holy Night” every Christmas. A petite grandmother, her beautiful soprano voice combined with her love of god drew us into an attitude of worship, calling us to fall on our knees before the Savior. I cannot sing the song today without seeing her in from of Red Lion Methodist church, honoring God with her voice.

Al greeted us every Sunday morning, opening the church doors with a warm, enchanting smile. On Christmas he dressed up as Santa and gave each child a bag of candy as we left. He stands out as a faithful man, consistent in serving the Lord by making people feel welcomed.

When we had a service when we could choose the hymns, we could count on Jip to call out, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. He often cried as he shared how much the love of Jesus Christ meant to him. Everyone was his friend, and he made each of us feel special and important.

Our organist, Dolores, invited the teens at our church to form a singing group called “The Impossibles”, not because we were impossible…though that was a running joke…but because of the power of God to do impossible things in our lives. She, along with my mom, encouraged me to spend time in the Old Testament searching for the wealth of riches in the Word of God.

Each of these people, and many more, lived their lives serving God as best they could. And each has left an imprint on my own walk with God. They all gave me a rich heritage in the Lord.

It makes me consider, what kind of legacy am I leaving for those who are watching me today?

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints, the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all truth. Colossians 1:3-6.