God told the children of Israel to keep the good things
alive in their hearts by building memorials and by passing these testimonies to
their children and grandchildren.
In
this month’s prompt, tell others in InScribe about God’s
goodness in your life. What kinds of memorials do you wish to leave? How do you
want to be remembered? What writing do you want to pass on to your children,
grandchildren and others?
An event happened
in October that changed the focus of my blog this month. My sister Karen passed
away from multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer), sooner than we expected.
As I wrote the eulogy
for her funeral, I thought of how Karen’s life left a legacy. She and her
husband Peter had an open home, welcoming troubled teenagers. One teen was Tim,
who said at the funeral, “I intended to stay one night and I stayed forever.”
He and his family are now treasured members of our extended family.
Karen also left a
legacy of being a dedicated daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She
cared for our mom, taking her to medical appointments until Mom passed away. She
was involved in her community and church. And most importantly, she left a
legacy of faith in God.
She left a large
legacy of sewing and knitting: pajamas and nightgowns for her children and
grandchildren, baby bibs, and knitted sweaters for children, some of which I
took to South Africa on a mission trip.
However, Karen felt
she was leaving many of her life goals unfinished. Two years ago when first
hospitalized, she said how hard it was to let go of her health, her sewing and
knitting. It was difficult to think she might never do these things again. And
as Karen’s family members, my sister Elaine and I cleared out her sewing room, my
heart almost broke to see the projects she hadn’t completed. (Elaine and I will
finish them.)
My Legacy
Karen left a
large legacy. What will mine be? I’ve wondered.
First and foremost,
my life leaves a legacy. I’ve prayed to be to be a woman of faith and
prayer. To be positive in life’s adversities and to see life from the half-full
cup rather than the half-empty portion. To be forgiving and open-hearted to
everyone, and especially to my extended family. To be compassionate to those
who are struggling with life’s adversities.
What writing legacy will I leave? I pray to leave a legacy of God’s faithfulness and His transforming
power. This includes (at this point in time):
- Family history that goes back to our faith beginnings in Switzerland in the 1500s.
- Short articles which I’ve called, “Divine Touches,” telling how God performed miracles and touched my life and the lives of family members and friends.
- A spiritual memoir of my two years in Colombia, South America.
- Articles of working with people of different cultures.
Karen’s story reminds me that I don’t know how long God will give me to publish
all that’s in my heart. I do know one thing, however; God will provide time to
complete the projects of His choosing. This gives me confidence to say with
Paul, “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize
for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Philippians 3:14 NLT).
Now it’s your turn.
Tell us about your legacy planning.
Sandi, as I read your post that thought, what will my legacy be, snaked through my mind and it felt like a burden I didn't want to face. Then you said this.
ReplyDelete"God will provide time to complete the projects of His choosing."
The burden lifted. I have learned to pray pray pray for God's direction in all I do. In my writing, I have learned to place my ideas (of which they are many!) before him, and wait for his leading on where to put my energy. He answers every time.
I don't know what my legacy will be for sure, but I do know he will direct it. What a confidence to have! Thanks for bringing these thoughts full circle!
Bobbi
Your post hit home, especially since the recent death of my brother in law. It is important for us to think about what kind of legacy we will leave behind. May it be a Godly one
ReplyDeleteSandi,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your sister ... and a great reminder for all of us. We need to be intentional with our time. Otherwise it slips through our fingers, never to return. And what will we have to show for it? I've thought through these questions before, but will do so some more. Thanks!
Sandi,
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a lovely tribute of your sister. I am so sorry for your loss and the huge hole she leaves in her wake. May you be comforted in ways only He knows how to do.
Thanks so much for this great reminder of our own finite lives and what we will leave behind as our legacy.
Like Bobbi I take comfort in knowing that as I ask He will direct my steps in my writing and all that is part of my life.
Hugs,
Brenda
xox
This month's prompt is definitely making me think more deeply about the kind of legacy I want to leave, both through writing and through my life. Your sister has left a great legacy to her family. I too offer my condolences on your loss. (((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteSandi, I appreciate how you always start our monthly theme on a true note. This month especially touched me as you shared with us the loss of your sister. May God bless and comfort you through this time or mourning.
ReplyDeleteMay God continue to bless you as a woman of faith and prayer.
I think Sandi, that leaving a record of God's faithfulness is as important as experiencing it.
ReplyDeletePerhaps that's why God has created so many writers.
Our spoken words are lost on the wind (mostly). Our written words will last until . . .