WHAT KIND OF LEGACY WILL YOU LEAVE
This morning started just like any other morning. I get out of bed and head to the bathroom to wash the sleep out of my eyes. Once I am fully awake, I grab my warm and fuzzy robe and head to the kitchen for a morning cup of coffee. I reach in the cabinet, and I pull out my favorite coffee cup. Because I’ve had issues with my elbow bothering me for a couple of months, I add a scoop of Collagen to my coffee, which has seemed to have helped. Even though all of those steps are my regular routine, this morning was different. This morning had me reflecting and in tears before I could even sit down at the table. It all started with the coffee cup. The coffee cup itself is nothing special. It is just a standard coffee cup, but it used to belong to Joe’s mother, who passed away a couple of years ago. Every time I reach for the cup, I feel a connection to her, and I will say something to her like, “you would be so proud of ……….” This morning, I thought, “wouldn’t it be great if I also had a cup from my grandmother” who also passed away a couple of years ago?
Then, I remembered that I had a small collection for her “shoes.” I am talking about the decorative kind of shoes that are ceramic, glass, wood, metal, etc., and sit in curio cabinets. I hurried to the cabinet (built by my father) and started looking over the shoe collection. My idea was to pick a shoe to sit on my desk so the granny could be with me throughout my day. Since my grandchildren are always over here, I didn’t want to pick one that could be broken. Finally, I spotted the perfect shoe for me to use. It was a pair of metal shoes, but I only took the one out of the cabinet.
The shoes look handmade and are heavy metal. They are very ornate with carvings, and they each have a hole at the top of the shoe, which makes me think that they might have been a Christmas ornament. The shoes look like a Dutch clog, which is usually made of wood (I have one of those too), but this one is cast metal.
I slipped the shoe in my robe pocket and started to rub on it as I walked to sit down at my table. That is when the tears began to flow. I spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s house when I was growing up. Riding horses, playing in the old root cellar which doubled as a haunted house, crawling through the 2-sided closet that came out in another room, and listening to her bedtime stories are all treasured memories that I will never forget.
My grandmother was also my Sunday School teacher at church. She never missed a Sunday at church and would go and pick up some of my cousins so that they could attend church also. Gracious, it still makes me smile to hear her very “shrill” voice singing at the top of her lungs to the old-time hymns. She even was the song leader one time when our regular guy was sick. None of the other men would lead the service, so granny hopped up and sang away. After church each Sunday, we would all head to her house for a big Sunday dinner, and I could then play with all of my cousins.
My grandmother left a significant legacy. She touched a lot of people and led many of them to the Lord. I know that in a couple of generations, no one will remember her, which makes me sad. But, they might know the Lord because of her, and that will be her legacy.
A lot of dictionaries say that the meaning of legacy is: a gift by will especially of money or other personal property. But, I found a different version that says: it is something handed down from one generation to the next.
I remember reading about the Israelites who would tell the stories about their ancestors escaping from the bondage by the Egyptians. They would tell of the trials and tribulations that they faced as they wandered in the desert. And, they would tell how the Lord provided for them time and time again.
Deuteronomy 4:37
37 Because he loved your ancestors and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength,
Deuteronomy 6:21
21 then you shall say to your son: ‘We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand;
Exodus 13:3
3 So Moses said to the people, “This is a day to remember forever—the day you left Egypt, the place of your slavery. Today the Lord has brought you out by the power of his mighty hand. (Remember, eat no food containing yeast.)
The Passover was a time of remembrance. It was a time to retell the stories of their ancestors and to keep the legacy alive. Even though the Israelites were far from perfect, they still knew God and left a legacy that would live for generations.
So, what kind of legacy are you and I leaving for the generations to come? Do our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren see us reading the Bible, going to the Lord in prayer, and living a God-filled life? That is a sobering thought when you think about how your life can impact the lives of generations to come.
Psalm 78:1-8
1 O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, 2 for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— 3 stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. 4 We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. 5 For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, 6 so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children. 7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. 8 Then they will not be like their ancestors— stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.
My grandmother left an amazing legacy that touched me and many others. I am now trying to live in her footsteps with the hopes that I can do the same.
Have A Blessed Day!
I love your blog-not only the fashion but also the thoughts, sweet memories of your family, and Bible Verses you share! Thanks so much for the encouraging words for all, especially in the days we are living in. God bless you and yours!
Love,
Laura Sands
McMinnville , TN
I loved your analogy! I too, share the same type of story and relationship that you are describing with your grandma. It is true- the legacy of sharing Christ with others is the only legacy that is most important to leave behind.
My Grandmother was my Sunday School teacher too. She and my Grandfather left such a Godly legacy for us. I can remember as a little girl spending the night at their house and they had a nightly “devotion” time. Now this was many years ago, before it became the thing to do in our homes. Although they have been gone many years, I can still see them in my mind and still miss them. Thank you for reminding me to really think about them more often..although tears come for me too.
Thank you for your reflection today. I wondered what role Christianity played in your blog. I had noticed the Bible verse at the bottom of your posting each day. Love it that you dedicated today, Sunday, to thinking about family and the Lord. It shows the depths of our personality and character when we don’t wholly focus on just what we look like. Thank you!
Thanks, Leslie. I always reserve Sunday for faith and inspiration. I talk about my struggles, and I hope that it will help others with theirs.
My Grandmothervdied when I was young but I remember her old cedar chest filled with treasures. She would always have little silver Hershey kisses and would give me a handful with a big smile and hug. It meant a lot more than she knew. My parents didn’t go to church but Mama made sure we knew about Jesus. We are both saved and I know it’s because we just never doubted what she said was true. I loved this post, Tania. You always hit a hometown with these Sunday morning emails. God bless!
It sounds like you have wonderful memories of your grandmother also. She left quite a legacy, that is all that we can ask for in this life.
What a beautiful tribute to your loved ones and leading others to the Lord! I’m SO proud of you for using your blog to share Jesus as well as humor, your heart AND your beautiful style! Your Granny must have been an incredible woman!
She was the fashionista of the family. She would have LOVED the blog. Lol!
Move Free Triple Action / tiny pull – no one in my family of olds will ever be without it.
Tania, You wrote a beautiful, meaningful, inspiring tribute to your Grandmother today. I love it so much, and it has given me a lot to think about. What an incredible legacy. As it says in Psalms, “I have a goodly heritage.” That is you!
On a very different note, could you please be specific with a list of what you might have eaten in a day on your fruit and veg week? That is something I have wanted to do but just can’t think what it looks like.
Beautiful post! Thank you for the time and effort and sincerity that you put into your posts. Especially your Sunday posts. They’re very much appreciated!!
What a wonderful reminder of what we are teaching those around us – with words and deeds. Thankful for your post and scriptures.
Thanks for sharing your memories! What a beautiful legacy – being obedient to God’s word and will for our lives. Thankful.
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the post.
Thanks Tania for that beautiful story of how your Grandmother planted the seed that goes on in your blog!
????Jane
Beautiful story! I’ve been thinking a lot about all of my grandparents during quarantine. They are all in heaven now, but I still remember special things about each of them. ❤️
I’m glad that you have wonderful memories of them. ????
I started working on my family tree so that people I love will be remembered and so I can learn about my relatives I never met.
My mother has a large family tree for us on ancestry. The subscription is my gift to her every year.
Good morning. I’m new to your blog. Enjoyed your reflection. It brought tears to my eyes because I thought of my loved ones who are gone but how I have items they have given me I can reflect. Thank you for sharing.
I’m sorry for the years, but I’m thrilled that my post sparked good memories of ones that have already left you.
What a beautiful story. ????
Thanks, Patti!
A profound question, I would love to leave a legacy like your grandmother…bringing people to the Lord.
That is my hope also.
I understand the tears and appreciate you sharing. My moma lives independently in a retirement village and has been in lock down since March. We talk daily. She made me go to church and youth programs even when I didn’t want to. She showed me what God meant to her. I accepted Christ in my life because of her diligence of me in my young life. I have had hard times that without this faith I don’t know what I would have done. Moma is 91 and I miss her so. Tears flow often. She still shines as an example even in her loneliness. Reminds me daily that if she were to die today she is ready to be with the lord. She has been a wonderful example all my life. Even though I don’t know you but through the blog I can tell you are striving to live by your faith too. Thank you for sharing your beliefs.
Connie, I could have written your exact post! I miss seeing my 91 yo mom too but we also talk daily. It’s amazing our story is exactly the same!
Connie, you are so lucky to have a mother who was a great example for you. She has a wonderful legacy, and I am sure that it is one that will live on in you.
thank you for the reminder of the potential power of small and simple things !
What a beautifully written reminder of how each of us leaves a lasting impact on those around us. I want my legacy to be “she loved well because of His great love.”
Small gestures can mean so much. We have to remember that when we are talking to others.
Thank you for reminding me to pass on the message to my grandbabies in word deed and prayer. Cathy Sydney Australia
It is so important to tell our children and grandchildren about Jesus. I pray that they come to love Him and trust Him