Adorned themselves

These two lovely people are my husband’s grandparents.

Both of whom have left a legacy to those privileged enough to know them.

Their characters are still spoken of with warm regard.

Although, I only met her twice, Grandma was everything I’d been told.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, I Peter 3:3‭-‬5 NKJV

She definitely applied these verses to her life.

Not only did they raise ten children, she cared for Grandpa when he developed ALS.

His development of the disease was slower than the average and she cared for him for many years.

After his passing she continued to be involved in her children and grandchildren’s lives.

It’s an example I want to follow, an inheritance I want to honor, a legacy I want to continue.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for these dear people who are my husband’s grandparents. Lord, please help me to adorn myself with trust in You, submission to You, Your Word, and my husband. Lord teach me how to wear love, bringing honor to my husband and children. Please show me how to put on a gentle and quiet manner; how to be hospitable, generous, prayerful, and applying Your Word to my soul. Lord, please help me to follow in the footsteps of other godly woman who have left a legacy of glorifying God to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Seeing myself

This is my great great grandmother.

Thanks to my mom and my grandfather’s cousin we know a good deal about grandmother and grandfather.

Cousin Emily was the family historian and made sure to write down a bunch of information about her grandparents.

Recently, I was reading through her letter, copied by hand by my mother, and read something that I could relate to.

Upon my rereading it to our daughter her comment was, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!”.

This is what the letter said:

I saw myself in my great great grandmother and felt the truth of grandfather’s words.

Because I too like fine china and I have the tendency to want leave some things unused, rather than enjoy them daily.

These words reminded me of what is important.

Like grandfather said to grandmother, my family is my best company and far more valuable than something man made.

This world is temporary, but the human soul is not.

God has given me stewardship over many things and I want to be honorable before Him with how I handle them, including my relationships.

I believe Grandmother understood this truth as well, because Grandfather died when my great grandpa was only a child (the youngest of six) and Grandmother ran the family on her own.

The stories passed down about her include her clever and resourceful use of money and the property Grandpa left to educate and provide for her family.

I don’t know what happened to Grandmother’s best china, but it’s of little importance.

Her devotion to her family is a legacy I want to continue.

I’m inspired by the words of 1 Timothy.

1 Timothy 3:11 NLT — In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your blessings. Lord, thank You that You have reminded me through my own ancestors the priorities of life, not to get caught up in the material things, but rather to serve You and love others. Lord, I will never be able to walk in Your love without Your help and guidance. Thank You for Your Word which instructions and Your Holy Spirit which comforts and guides. Please continue to help me leave a legacy for my family of faith, love, perseverance, patience, integrity, and truth. Lord, I believe Your Word is truth and all I need for each day. Thank You for Your blessings. Thank You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful works! Amen.

A story about legacy

He wore jeans and a button up shirt.

Held an old Bible in one hand.

His grey hair and aged completion didn’t hinder his voice which was strong and pleasant.

He began with apologies.

“I don’t really feel comfortable talking in front of a lot of people, but sometimes you just have to give glory to God.”

He cleared his throat as if to steady himself and then began.

“You know we just celebrated my dad’s 100 birthday.”

This family is well known in the area and many heads moved in agreement and even some verbalized their feelings at this.

It had been such a community event the local diner had a flyer just to make sure everyone knew about the party and where it was being held.

As he continued he described the week just completed.

“You know Dad was a quiet man, private and we had all been praying God would take him home in his sleep, that he wouldn’t suffer.”

After a moment he continued.

“That’s what God did Thursday night. He took Dad in the quiet, without pain. He didn’t suffer.”

Eyes were dabbed throughout the room.

“I just wanted to say, that the gentle godly man you knew here at church was the same man he was at home.”

“He was an example of godliness in our home and our family.”

He shared the privilege of being able to care for his father the last few years and what a wonderful relationship he had with him during the end of his father’s life.

He finished by reading from Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV — Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.

He finished with these words because they reflected the life of his father, a man who glorified God.

Pastor preached directly afterwards about being people of integrity.

It was so fitting.

Here was an example of a man who was well known in his community and whose 100 years will be remembered by his family and others as a godly man.

A man of integrity hearts be inspired to live in such a way as to give glory to God.

Let us be people of integrity.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word and Your truth lived out. Lord, thank You for those who live godly lives no matter the circumstances. People who are honest, gentle, faithful, and full of integrity. Lord, please help me to be a person of integrity. Please place a guard upon my heart that I might not fall into sin. Please teach me Your statutes daily. Lord, let those who are called by Your name be an encouragement to others, spurring each other on to live righteously before You. Thank You, Jesus for Your blessings. Thank You for this story of a godly man and the legacy he has left behind him. May Your name continue to be glorified in those who are called by Your name. Amen.

Legacy

Five generations

When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
II Timothy 1:5‭-‬6 NKJV

Timothy’s mother and grandmother gave him a legacy of genuine faith.

Definitely, a treasure worth passing on.

This genuine faith wasn’t a happenstance, but a choice by both women to follow God and in their devotion to the Lord they planted seeds of this same faith into Timothy.

We must be purposeful if we want to leave a legacy like this.

Our faith must be genuine as well.

Romans 3:25 NKJV — whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

For those who have believed and received salvation it should be evident in lives surrendered to Jesus.

Our choices, our time, our character all plant seeds for the future.

And God’s Word makes it apparent, our lives today leave a legacy for tomorrow.

God’s Word also clearly commands we live out our faith daily, especially before our children.

Deuteronomy 4:9 NKJV — “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,

Both Lois and Eunice followed this verse.

And it’s truth is as applicable today as it was thousands of years ago.

For the Bible clearly teaches us we leave a legacy of one kind or of the other.

Proverbs 3:35 NKJV — The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Proverbs 11:29 NKJV — He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

All the truths of leaving behind a godly legacy can be true of leaving behind a poor one.

Galatians 6:7 NKJV — Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

It is not difficult to leave a legacy of ungodliness.

History is full of those recorded for all to remember their folly or their evil.

And for each one whose life made enough ripple to be written down how many more are there who simply chose to live unto themselves rather than in service to others.

But there is hope.

It’s never too late to begin leaving a legacy of genuine faith.

It’s never too late to speak words of humility, apology, encouragement, truth, or wisdom.

It’s never too late to seek God personally so your life can be used by Jesus to plant seeds in the future.

What kind of legacy are you planting today?

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for truth. Lord, please make me like Lois and Eunice, please continue to build and grow genuine faith in my life and use my life to plant seeds into our children and grandchildren. Lord Jesus, help me to see opportunities You give to encourage, love, support, and bring Your Word to. Please keep me from causing harm in anyway, but instead please use me to touch others. Lord Jesus, on my own I can do nothing, it is only in You working through me that I find ability. Thank You. Thank You for all You have done and are doing and will do. Amen.

Grandpa John

I had a dream last night.

My mother’s father was in it.

He smiled big, laughed with joy, and hugged me tight.

My husband and our children and grandchildren were there, too.

I was so excited to introduce each one to him.

But before I did Grandpa just kept one arm around me and looked into my face.

We were both enjoying getting to see one another.

Then, with a smile, he spoke, “You know, you are a real beauty.”

This caught me by surprise.

It also made me feel treasured.

I smiled back.

“Grandpa, of course you would think so. I look like my mother, your daughter, and she looks like her mother, Grandma Ruth.”

He laughed and squeezed me.

I went on to introduce him to our family.

When I awoke this morning, my heart felt rosy with love.

Because I didn’t grow up with grandparents.

My mother’s family are from Michigan and we’ve always lived on the West coast.

My father’s mother died when I was four, I have no memory of her.

My father’s father traveled a great deal and I can’t remember a single conversation he ever had with me.

He died when I was in highschool.

So, this dream was sweet for me.

Although, my memories of my mother’s father are fuzzy and less than the fingers on one hand, I remember him laughing and hugging me.

I was pretty small, small enough to sit on his knee.

But last night’s dream brought me a new gift.

I know it’s from God.

If I can feel blessed by a dream of my Grandfather’s kind words, what an impact my words can have in real life to those I love!

My grandchildren (I love saying that!) are an incredible opportunity.

To love them for Jesus, to teach them about God’s Word, what a wonderful heritage!

The same is true for my own children.

To love them daily, to make sure I am speaking words of encouragement.

To lovingly speak words of truth, and to stir up righteousness in them.

To pray for each one, lifting them before the Lord, that I might be centered on Christ’s will for them instead of my own ideas.

The legacy I can pass on does require being purposeful.

To be open to the LORD’s leading in the day-to-day things so I don’t plant weeds but seeds of life.

But I can’t think of anything more worthwhile than leaving a legacy of following Jesus.

I praise God for this dream of my grandfather.

It has reminded me of my value to Jesus and my opportunity to value others.

Our soul waits for the Lord ; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Psalms 33:20‭-‬21 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for this encouragement. Thank You for reminding me of the truth, that I can pour into others as You pour into me. Lord, thank You for loving me more than any person on Earth, because it is in You I find myself, a child of God. Lord Jesus, please help my husband and I to be honorable parents and grandparents. Help us to live with integrity and humility. Please shine through us into those around us and our loved ones. Thank You so much for placing us near our grandchildren. We are so blessed to be a part of their lives and the lives of our children. Lord Jesus, may we bring honor and glory to Your name. Amen.

Pattern

When viewing a pattern up close,
it is easy to appreciate the design,
to notice the details,
to enjoy the intricacy.

However,
being up close doesn’t allow
one to understand the
whole picture.

Life can be the same.

In each day one can see the happenings,
the “to do” list,
the emotions of the moment.

Yet often it is difficult to see the overall picture of how each day,
each choice,
each relationship
flows together to create
a picture,
a time line,
a heritage.

Years ago when our oldest was a toddler my husband’s grandparents were visiting.

Grandma was sitting in the living room with Sissy and I.

Suddenly she smiled broadly and patted my knee.

“Just think! All this started with Pa and me!”

Her eyes twinkled and I agreed with her, squeezing her hand.

For that instant the big picture came into focus and she was blessed.

Recently the Lord did the same for me.

I was struggling with concerns for our son,
his progress in school is steady,
but I was worrying over how far we still have to go,
how much more effort it will take,
and questioning if I am doing enough.

The main trigger for this being our son’s birthday this week.

He turned 10.
He was thrilled.

His body is about the size of a 7-8 year old (we think due to slow growth) and his Math is a low 3rd grade, his reading a low 1st grade.

Because I understand all these details it is sometimes difficult to see the big picture.

Thankfully my husband brought the bigger picture into view.

“Honey, he’s progressing steadly. He’s farther in school than ever before and likes it. He’s a gentle, kind, fun kid who is often helping or trying to help others. He loves you and me and all our family. And you are doing a great job with him.”

The big picture suddenly swung into view.

When our son is an adult it won’t matter when he learned to read,  or whether he had extra help,  but it will matter if he’s responsible, hardworking, and moral.

It will matter if he’s faithful, understanding, and kind.

It will matter if he’s wise, selfless, and trustworthy.

Ultimately, it will matter most if he has a relationship with Jesus Christ.

He isn’t all these things yet but there’s plenty of time to continue to hone his character one day at a time,  one choice at a time,  one moment at a time.

I know this because God is still doing the same work with me.

When I feel discouraged or overwhelmed He is there to hone my character, to teach me self-control, to help me with my perspective.

Because the details are important.
They link together to create a picture,
a person,
a heritage.

Just like this pattern is a lovely garment,
so a life lived with Christ,
is a lovely
legacy.