As I was reading the book “Tell Your Time” last week, I came across a bunch of questions that unsettled me…
“How do you want to be known and remembered? What kind of legacy do you want to leave?”
My maternal uncle passed away last week and the legacy he left behind was his music. For almost two decades, he played his keyboard and coached the choir in his local church. He will always be remembered for using his talent to glorify God. He had earlier recorded several cassettes of himself singing various hymns; his son played those tapes over the sound system during the funeral. When people came by to pay their last respects, they heard these comforting words over the speaker…
All the way my Savior leads me,
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
…which brings me back to the purpose of today’s blog post. It didn’t take me long to asked myself, “What will people remember me for, when I die?“. Will they think of me as…
A software engineer? Maybe.
A good student? Probably.
A blogger? Definitely.
Mother of triplets? Most definitely.
But that is hardly enough. What difference am I making in the lives of those around me? What memories will I leave behind? After much pondering, I came up with a list (yes, I love lists :)).
I want to be known as a woman who:
- Loved God above all else.
- Served her husband with respect.
- Led her sons to Christ by example.
I wonder at times if this list is too audacious. But then I realize, it isn’t – it all comes down to the basics. Living out my faith in the struggles of everyday life. Joyfully meeting my husband’s needs. Learning to be a good example to my kids. In the end, this is what it comes down to. I leave you now, with the same words that got me thinking…
“How do you want to be known and remembered? What kind of legacy do you want to leave?”
I think your list is perfect! If we all aspired to leave such a legacy it would be a very different world!
Thank you Kasey.. I truly appreciate the time you take to read and comment on my posts.. God bless you!
I think this is what every godly woman must aspire for – I have one tacked up my whiteboard which is before my eyes almost everyday. The bedrock verse for my vision is Titus2:2-4, in which the main goal behind a woman’s duties is “..so that the word of God may not be reviled”. Ultimately the one thing that must matter to every Christian is the glory of God’s Name – that’s what Moses worked for, and that’s what everyone of us must work towards. I like that verse because it lays out the “how” as well for this objective, and its almost identical to your list: love for God displayed in a love for husband, children, being busy at home (home-working). My list has 2 specific additions – stewardship of time, money, resources and economic profitability.
I agree with you, Sarmishta. I love your additions – it is quite important to be good stewards of the time, money and resources that God has given us.
I think your list is exactly right. God, family, work – that was always the goals I strived for and still do. Sounds like a wonderful way of leaving a sweet spiritual legacy in the hearts and minds of your family and others.
Thank you for the encouragement, Kaye. So glad you stopped by!
It reminds me of the song, “Legacy” by Nichole Nordeman. I am always thinking about what kind of legacy I want to leave. What do I want my children to remember about me, what do I want them to value, for they will learn it from me. The most important is I want them to have a relationship with God. Everything after that is a bonus 🙂
That song pretty much sums it all… I agree with you, that our primary concern should be teaching our kids to have an intimate relationship with God. Thank you for stopping by, Gail!
🙂 that question will always inspire us to be better than the best for Jesus
So true, Veena!